The Blackmailed Beauty Read online

  John, his nose still swollen and red, looked irritably over at his friend. “Don’t your servants provide breakfast for you?” he snarled.

  “Temper, temper,” Noel teased. “Of course they do, but I find the drive over here has famished me.”

  “And here I thought it was the unusual exercise you had last night. You know, the boxing match.”

  “Are you still upset?” Noel said with a laugh.

  “Very funny,” John said, reaching up to touch his nose tenderly.

  “I believe it gives you a bit of a rakish look,” Noel said with feigned enthusiasm. Inwardly, he regretted hurting his friend’s nose but knew there was little he could do now.

  “I was hoping,” Noel ventured, “you could forgive my brutish behavior long enough to tell me what you know of last night.”

  John finished his coffee and pushed back his chair. “I had escorted my dancing partner back to her mother when a footman approached me and handed me a note.”

  “Yes,” Noel interrupted, “I have the note and it says little.”

  “You’re quite correct,” John said, “only that Miss Stuart needed to talk to me in the library. At first, I thought she might tell me why her behavior has been odd of late. Miss Dutton and I have met regularly while you were gone, discussing her cousin’s behavior, as we are both concerned about her. I know you are fond of Miss Stuart and she has somewhat spurned your attentions. Simply put, I thought to help out.”

  Noel practically snorted. Fond? He found he was much more than fond of Miss Stuart. “Do go on,” he urged his friend.

  “I went to the library and saw she was alone so I circumspectly left the door open a bit. While I didn’t want to let others overhear if she told me something personal, I did not want to risk her reputation. When I got in there I knew something was wrong. She started talking to me about needing my assistance to buy her uncle a gift. I was bewildered to say the least and had decided she had gone over the edge. I thought to excuse myself and send her cousin or her aunt to her when suddenly she threw herself at me. She wrapped her arms around me and kissed me. And, of course, you know the rest.”

  “And what has her behavior toward you been lately?” Noel asked.

  “Odd,” was John’s answer. “Sometimes I consider her a friend. And then, at other times, she becomes strangely coquettish. It doesn’t sit well with her, I don’t believe. It’s almost like she has to force herself to be flirtatious.”

  “And do you know what Miss Dutton thinks about her cousin’s behavior?” Noel inquired.

  “The same as I do,” John said. “She is also baffled and has indicated to me the Miss Stuart I have counted as a friend is the real Miss Stuart. The coquette is a stranger to Miss Dutton.”

  “What do you think about it all, Noel?” John asked.

  “I don’t know, but I have to get to the bottom of it,” he said, rising from his chair. “I shall pay a call at the Amhearst home as soon as I dare.”

  “Would you like some company?” John offered.

  “You are always welcome,” Noel said. “And, John, I am sorrier than I can say about your nose.”

  “Forget about it, Noel. I am sure it is not broken, at least.”

  The men arrived at the Amhearst mansion at the earliest hour it was proper. They hurried up the steps, rapped on the door, and anxiously awaited an answer.

  The butler informed them upon their query, that Miss Dutton and Miss Stuart were not at home. And then, he firmly shut the door in their faces.

  Left feeling a bit deflated, they turned around and faced the street.

  “I guess we won’t be calling on them today, then,” John ventured.

  “Yes, I got the decided notion we were not welcome.”

  John looked at his friend. “You surely aren’t going to let a stuffy old butler stand in the way of your future happiness are you?” he gently goaded.

  Noel looked over at his friend and smiled. “You are right. I am a duke. You are an earl. We shall not let it happen.”

  He turned around and rapped the door a second time. When it swung open, Noel quickly stuck his boot in so the butler could not close the door on them again.

  “Yes, Your Grace?” The other man sighed as he spoke.

  Noel reached into his waistcoat pocket and fingered a gold coin allowing the servant to get a glimpse of it. “If Miss Stuart and Miss Dutton are indeed not home, might you have an idea where they have gone or when they are expected home?”

  The butler looked at both men and then he turned his back to them and carefully searched the hall. Very quietly, then, he spoke as he leaned toward them. “They have left for the park with their maid. I do not know when to expect them back; however, I can say the family is expecting to spend a quiet evening at home. Miss Dutton, herself, has requested I turn away all visitors for this day only.”

  Noel flipped the coin to the butler, who quite deftly caught it in mid-air. “I appreciate the knowledge,” he told him. “Rest assured we shall respect Miss Dutton’s wishes for today. Today only,” he finished.

  The door shut behind them for the second time as the two men bounded down the steps and leaped into Noel’s curricle. He picked up the reins, flicked his whip several inches above his team’s heads, and drove off toward Hyde Park.

  The men did not speak, intent upon looking for the women. John turned his head this way and that, as Noel looked about as much as he could while avoiding other traffic. He was thankful for the team of well-trained horses John had convinced him to purchase.

  “There.” John was pointing toward a park bench in the distance. “They are over there.”

  Noel looked over and instantly recognized Claire. Although she had on a bonnet, her hair was a dead giveaway, shining in the light with glints of silver. She was sitting on a bench next to another young woman. He could not be certain it was Miss Dutton however, and asked John.

  “Is the other girl, Miss Dutton?”

  “No, I’m sure she’s not,” John answered. "Do you see over to the side behind the bush?”

  Noel followed the line of John’s sight. There were two women standing behind a bush so they were hidden from the bench. One did, indeed, look much like Miss Dutton and the other was dressed as a maid.

  “You’re right. I had not seen them!”

  “I believe it is Miss Dutton and their maid,” John said.

  Noel brought the vehicle to a halt, and steered it carefully off the road. He fastened the reins and then jumped to the ground. John followed. They walked a short distance to where a group of trees shielded them from view. There they watched and waited. It wasn’t long before the other young woman from the park bench rose and left, leaving Claire sitting alone. Although she did not walk past them, her path brought her somewhat closer and when she finally raised her face to look ahead, the two men saw her better.

  “It’s Lady Regina,” John whispered.

  “And she looks quite furious,” Noel added.

  “Miss Dutton and I have wondered about her,” he confided.

  Noel looked at his friend, “Well, why didn’t you say so, man?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Do not think I shan’t do it,” Lady Regina said angrily as she rose. “I will, I assure you.” With her final words, she spun on her heel and hurried away.

  Claire watched her go and then stood dejectedly to make her way toward the bush that hid her cousin and her maid from view.

  “What did she say?” asked Willa anxiously as she drew her away from Molly’s hearing.

  Claire shook her head. “She said no. She said it must be me, and only me. Oh, Willa, she was evil! I am beginning to believe she may be insane.”

  “Or the daughter of Satan.”

  The small party walked silently from the park and returned home. As they dismissed Molly, handing her their shawls and parasols, Claire stopped her cousin from untying her bonnet.

  “Do let us go to the garden, Cousin,” she said. “I find it to be quite soothing.”r />
  “Of course,” Willa said, turning to lead the way.

  They established themselves in the furthest corner of the small, enclosed space and sat on a stone bench.

  “We must return to your idea,” Claire said.

  “To follow her and watch her?”

  “Yes, we must find out who she loves and then we can blackmail her.”

  “We can begin tomorrow,” Willa said. “Mother says we are to makes calls then. Let us use our time wisely. We will break up whenever possible and each question the other girls we see.”

  “Indeed,” Claire agreed, “and then tomorrow night we will be at Almack’s. I assume Lady Regina will be there as well.” Then a thought came to her and she reached across to clutch her cousin’s arm. “But Willa, she may change the terms if I am not seen enough with the earl. And especially if the duke should by some slim chance ask me to dance. She warned me to stay away from him.

  Willa was quiet. And then, “What a conundrum,” she admitted. “I wish there were some polite and acceptable way to suggest they not attend Almack’s. I am sure the duke only attends because of you,” she said.

  Claire thought about how the duke and the earl seemed to be at all of the same events they were. What were the odds? “Do you suppose,” she began to voice her suspicions, “the gentlemen have some way of knowing where we are in the evening? You must admit they always seem to appear at the same place,” she finished.

  “The servants,” Willa breathed after a few moments. “Servants know all, and they all seem to have a sister or a cousin or an admirer in the next household over.”

  “How true,” Claire declared triumphantly. “We must find Molly.”

  The two raced upstairs ready to ring for the maid if they must. They needn’t have worried about it as Molly was in Willa’s chamber, hanging up some freshly laundered gowns.

  “Molly,” Willa began, “could we ask a favor of you?”

  Molly faced them, “Of course, Miss.”

  “Are you acquainted with anyone in Lord Roydon’s home or perhaps the Duke of Lamberton’s?” Willa asked.

  “I’m afraid not, Miss,” Molly answered. “I’m too new to London to have met many folks.”

  “Oh,” Willa’s face fell.

  The maid returned to her work before turning back. “Why do you ask?”

  “We wanted to let the gentlemen know which events we might be at, to help things along a bit,” Willa explained.

  “Excuse me a moment,” Molly said. “I may be able to help.”

  She curtsied and hurried from the room. Claire and Willa took off their bonnets and sat to try to wait patiently. Neither said much, both contemplating ideas.

  Molly returned before long, leaving the door open to the hall. “I saw something one day a while back,” the maid said, “but I didn’t understand it. Now I do, Miss Dutton, Miss Stuart.” She walked back toward the door. “Willard, please step in here.”

  A young footman entered the room, staring at his toes. “Willard,” Molly urged, “do tell Miss Dutton and Miss Stuart what you told me.”

  He glanced up, embarrassed, and then returned his gaze to the floor.

  Claire rose. “Willard,” she began, “you will not be in trouble for it, if that is what you are worried about. Please tell us.”

  The young servant regarded them, shuffled his feet a bit, and then began to talk in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper.

  “An employee from the Duke of Lamberton’s house came to the back gate one day. I was in the yard, and I heard him. He motioned for me to come. He was a high-level servant, a valet perhaps, and he asked me if I could learn of your comings and goings. Of course, I could. It’s all the talk in the kitchens, what ball you’re goin’ to, or what fete.”

  When he paused, Claire urged him to go on.

  “Anyways, I told him mebbe I could if it wasn’t for any nefarious reason or anything.”

  “And what did he say?” Willa broke in.

  “He said he was just helpin’ out his master so His Grace could be at the same balls and such as you.”

  “As me?” Claire asked, her heart warming.

  Willard nodded. “Yes, Miss. So’s I thought he must be fond of you or somethin’ and, well, me da’s long dead, and me ma’s ill like, and me and my sis have to send a goodly portion of our wages back home for her and the young ones. So’s when he told me there would be good money in it, I couldn’t refuse.”

  He fell silent and then glanced up to Miss Dutton with pleading in his eyes. “Please don’t let me go, miss. This is a good job and a good house to work in, and me ma needs me.”

  Willa stood also. “No, Willard,” she assured him. “However, I do have a way of you earning even more money to send home. And,” she went on, “I daresay if you help us out Miss Stuart and I could assist in finding similar positions for your younger siblings when they are old enough. Could we not, Cousin?”

  Claire smiled. “Of course we could,” she agreed.

  “What would I need to do?” Willard asked, now interested.

  “Just the same thing you’ve been doing,” Willa told him. “For starters, you can make sure the duke’s valet is informed how the Misses Dutton and Stuart will not be attending Almack’s tomorrow evening. Instead, my father is taking us to the opera as a treat.”

  “There’s nothing else, Miss? I just have to let him know?”

  “Yes, but then every day you must check with us and ask us what we want you to tell him. And, Willard, if the servant says you are wrong, assure him you are not.”

  ****

  As they drove away from the park, Noel glanced at John. “Tell me more about the Norton chit,” he demanded.

  “I went to the Charles’ soiree,” John began, “and fetched Miss Dutton to take her over to the refreshment table. We began to speak of her cousin, as I knew Miss Dutton had been worried about her and I about you. Miss Dutton told me Miss Stuart had gone to the park with their maid to meet a friend. Miss Stuart, in fact, had not said anything about this, but the maid was willing to tell Miss Dutton. Apparently, Miss Stuart returned ill and was so upset she took to her bed.”

  “From visiting this friend in the park?” asked Noel for clarification.

  “Yes,” John said. “Miss Dutton found it odd as she was not aware that her cousin had many friends in town, only the merest of acquaintances. But she did mention how although Miss Stuart knows Lady Regina, of course, she does not seem to count her as a friend. Yet Lady Regina has been seen with your Miss Stuart on more than one occasion.” John paused. “I went to speak to Lady Regina and brought up Miss Stuart’s name and I feel she was lying to me.”

  “About what?”

  “Anything. Everything,” John said. “I hinted they might be friends and the lady was blasé about it. I asked her if they saw each other much here in town, and she replied, ‘not at all,’”

  They drove silently and aimlessly around the area before Noel spoke again, “Do you remember the day we stopped at the church in Surrey?” he asked.

  “Certainly,” John said.

  “Do you remember the bruise on Miss Stuart’s face?” Noel went on.

  “A bit,” John said. “I hadn’t thought about it much,” he added.

  “Well, I have. She seemed ashamed of it, like she was trying to keep one side of her face away from you.” He paused as he thought. “From you, as I remember, but not from me.” Shifting in his seat a bit, he continued. “Do you find it odd?”

  “Yes,” John admitted thoughtfully, “she didn’t even know me at the time. And when they came back in, she kept looking at me, almost like she was studying me.”

  “And she was pale,” Noel added. “Much paler than she had been before she went out with Lady Regina.”

  “She was also… ,” John seemed to search for a word, “stilted, perhaps, when they came back in.”

  Noel closed his eyes, picturing the day in the church. He tried to draw each little detail from his memory. It wasn’t hard.
After all, it was the day when he had begun to fall in love.

  “Whoa, Noel,” John said grabbing the reins from his hands. “You can’t just go closing your eyes when you’re driving around London, man.”

  Noel opened them just in time to see a wagon driver make a rude gesture toward him. He sat back and let his friend keep the reins. John was actually a better driver anyway.

  “She had a shawl,” he said.

  “What?” John asked.

  “When Claire went outside with Lady Norton she didn’t wear a shawl. I remember because I found it somewhat odd. I was so struck by her beauty, I looked back, you see. When they returned she had a shawl. A heavy, woolen one.”

  “I’m impressed, Noel,” John said. “Perhaps you should join the Runners. They could use a man with an eye for such detail.”

  Noel laughed. “Hardly my cup of tea.”

  “So what does it all mean?” John asked.

  “Therein lies the problem,” Noel said. “I have no idea.”

  John turned them back toward their homes. “I have to get something to eat,” he told Noel. “I’m famished from all this tearing around town.”

  Noel sat up straighter and with a determined glint in his eye, he faced his friend. “Get some rest, John, for tonight we go gambling.”

  “Gambling? Noel, I’m just not interested.”

  “Neither am I,” Noel returned. “It’s the beauty. We won’t get drunk, nor will we be distracted. So when we meet up with Viscount Pitt we will be on our toes. You see, I can’t help but think if Lady Regina Norton is involved, her evil brother must have his nose in it somewhere.”

  “Ah,” John replied as if light had suddenly dawned. “Now you’re thinking, Noel. I’ll be ready. Late, I assume.”

  “No reason to get out early,” Noel agreed.

  As they stopped in front of John’s house, Noel turned to him, “You know the little pistol you have?”

  His friend nodded his head in acknowledgement.

  “Stick it in your pocket. I’ll bring one as well.”

  Noel returned home and went straight to his study. There, with his feet on the corner of his desk, he contemplated the night ahead.