The Duke's Broken Heart Page 10

  “The more, the better?” Phin lifted his eyebrows.

  “Mercy’s right, Phin. It will divert Bernard’s focus on Charlotte. We’ll both start our campaigns so it will be better to have a lot of people from the ton there. We’ll have a captive audience of the right people in the ton. Rumours will fly, as they are known to do at house parties. We’ll neutralize negative talk and have fun doing it.”

  Phin sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

  Silas smirked. “No need, Phin. It’s all decided. Mercy and I will work on it, then we’ll give you the guest list and activities, right, Mercy?”

  “Great. Shall we start now?”

  “Umm, no. I’m going out. We’ll start in the morning. Late morning.”

  Mercy’s eyes went to slits. “I knew you had a new one,” she said.

  “Mercy,” Phin said sharply. “That’s enough.”

  He turned to Silas. “No more discussion of your personal life with Mercy. Do you understand?”

  Silas made his face go blank. “Sure, brother. No problem. “He looked to Mercy and back at Phin. “ I’m going out. Mercy, late morning,” he said with a nod.

  She smiled back.

  Phin sighed.

  As plans for the house party grew, Everett kept Phin updated. Afraid he would cancel it if he knew more, neither Mercy nor Silas shared anything with him.

  Phin was pacing. “Did you tell the staff to prepare the guest rooms and order enough food?”

  Silas rolled his eyes. “Leave everything to me. This isn’t the first party I’ve planned.”

  “About that . . .”

  Silas put a hand on Phin’s shoulder. “Not to worry, brother. Not to worry.”

  Everett told Phin that Mercy said her friends were very excited about the party. They were having dresses made for the occasion. The haberdasher ran out of lady's straw hats and had gone through roll after roll of ribbon used to decorate the hats.

  Phin groaned when Everett was finished. “Do I need to go to this party, Ev? How am I going to smile and be a good host for two weeks?”

  “My advice to you Phin? Let Silas be the host. You can participate when you want. And hang back when you need. Why don’t you go to the bookstore before we leave? Bring a couple of books that look interesting. Bar the door to your room, unless, of course, it’s Charlotte.” Everett wiggled his eyebrows.

  Phin smiled. “Charlotte and Genevieve were quite excited about the party.” Every day when he called on her, she mentioned something new about the party. She was amused that she was telling him about his party. Genevieve just sat in the chair, smiling and nodding.

  Chapter 9

  The tension between Phin and Bernard was getting to breaking point. When Bernard visited Charlotte, Phin was there. During a ball, Phin stayed close to Charlotte, which meant Bernard had little time with her alone. It was improper for one man to dance more than twice with the same woman at one ball. That gave Bernard about ten to fifteen minutes alone with Charlotte on a crowded, noisy dance floor.

  Phin knew Bernard had heard the rumours spreading about him. At one ball, he turned to Phin and said, “So, I hear your time in India was successful. Too bad your time in London with your father was anything but.”

  Phin replied, “Yes, I understand you knew my father quite well from how frequent you both were at Maggie’s gambling hell.”

  Phin knew Charlotte overheard what they said. He also knew she had heard what was circulating about him and nothing of what was circulating was new. But Phin worried still. Although it may have sounded like harmless swipes at each other, Phin saw the fear building in Bernard’s eyes. This smear campaign, on both sides, was escalating and becoming more unpredictable.

  The closer it got to the party date, the more desperate Bernard became. Two weeks with a rival suitor could tip the balance in Phin’s favour. Phin knew it, and Bernard knew it. He visited Charlotte every afternoon, as did Phin. His eyes darted between Charlotte and Phin or between Charlotte and Genevieve. His stories and news sounded forced, uncomfortable. He had become uncomfortable around her. He had a lot of pressure on him, and it showed.

  Phin didn’t know if she was aware of the change in Bernard. She acted as if everything was normal.

  Phin still worried. Silas teased him that Phin would worry if the sun were going to come up tomorrow morning. Phin knew he wasn’t that bad. There were so many variables, though. He knew nothing of his father’s relationship with Bernard. Bernard might know things Phin hadn’t anticipated. Like what?

  And Cousin Elizabeth. She was spitting fire when the solicitor’s man removed Bennett’s items from her townhouse. If Phin had to pick out the most vengeful lady in the ton, it would be Elizabeth. How did Bernard and Elizabeth know each other? Through Bennett? How well did they know each other?

  It was going to be great to get out of London and relax a little knowing Phin didn’t have to look over his shoulder. Yes, being at Collinswood while the mate followed Bernard around was the kind of break you couldn’t pay for.

  ***

  Carriage after carriage pulled up to the front of the castle that was Collinswood. Phin had started renovations on the castle as soon as he landed on British soil, but it had only been three months. Their guests would have to make do.

  Footman jumped on each carriage as it stopped under the portico of Collinswood. The groan of the carriages’ springs finally relaxed as the last trunk was removed from the top. Trunks were matched with their owners and taken to their bedchambers.

  Elizabeth entered the front parlour as an actress enters a stage. It was grand. She never wore conservative clothes, and today was no different. Her yellow chiffon thing with the large bell sleeves and fitted bodice moved with a mind of its own.

  She was on her singular mission – revenge. Phin may have stripped her townhouse of Bennett’s treasure, but she was going to strip him of his reputation. It was an easy job really; most women are open to hearing any nonsense spewed by another woman.

  She sat, and her dress kept on moving until it decided to stay with her. She poured herself a cup of tea and sat back. Her entrance was so dramatic; the other ladies didn’t remember what they were talking about. They all turned to her expectantly.

  So Elizabeth dove right in. She began the introductions by letting the group know that Phin, Silas, and Mercy were her cousins. Before her mother died, her mother asked her brother, Phin’s father, to take care of her. Elizabeth told of her unfortunate luck of being around when Phin’s father disowned him, and Phin took all the money from his father’s accounts and ran.

  “His banker and solicitor confirmed everything, but by the time it was all confirmed, Phin had fled the country. Apparently, there was some sort of smuggling operation that may or may not have to do with his leaving as well.”

  This conversation starter had the results Elizabeth was hoping for. They gasped, they said ‘no it couldn’t be,’ and they said ‘could it be?’ Elizabeth just shrugged. “Old news. It’s been around forever.”

  ***

  Refreshed from his respite in his bedchamber, Phin appeared on the lawn next to Silas. He pointed his chin at the cluster of men ten yards away. “How is this going?”

  He turned and beamed at Phin. “Really well. I knew it would; I never mess with success.”

  “The ladies seem to be having fun playing croquet. How long will lawn games be played?”

  Until it’s time to get ready for the evening or they lose interest in playing.” Silas shrugged. We had a rather nice walk to the lake going on that drew a score of mixed company.”

  “How scandalous,” Phin said with a laugh.

  Silas loved to see Phin this way. He looked left and right, and then lowered his voice. “Keep your eyes out tonight. I want a report on anything that is truly scandalous. It will happen. We just need to catch it.” Silas’ mouth rose on one side.

  “Are you going to hide behind a tree like you used to when you were twelve?” Phin asked, lifting his brow.


  “I may. If you remember correctly, I saw Cousin Elizabeth kissing that rake twice her age. My eyes went so wide, if she had bothered to look, she would have thought me an owl.”

  “I saw her, you know.”

  “Yes, Phin. We’ve all seen her.” Silas nodded.

  “When did you see her? I didn’t think she’d show her face at the townhouse when I was done with her.”

  “When you were done with her? She’s here. Mercy invited her a few days ago.”

  “What?” Phin looked at Silas to detect if he were pulling his leg. But why would he? Phin didn’t tell him or Mercy about his visit to her.

  “Tell me. How did it come about that she was invited to this gathering?”

  Silas thought. He shook his head. “I’m not sure. One day I see her making a call on Mercy. The next thing I knew, she’s on the list.”

  “Is she alone?”

  “Yes, of that I’m sure. Her circle of friends is as flamboyant as she. Mercy enjoyed seeing her again. I’d have thought you would be pleased to see her, closest in age as you are. You always seemed to gravitate to one another at family gatherings.”

  Phin told Silas the story of his visit to Elizabeth. “She’s up to something. She heard about the party and went to Mercy to weasel an invitation. I’ve seen her and Bernard together more than once this week. She was furious with me for what happened with Bennett’s things.” Phin shut his eyes and breathed out. “I should’ve known better than to believe he would live off his allotment.”

  “We’ve got to find a way to keep her in check. Any ideas?”

  “Short of sticking by her side for the fortnight, I don’t,” Phin made a distasteful face.

  “Josie, Everett, Mercy, me, you. We could always take turns,” Silas said, grappling with solving the problem.

  “I’ve got to find Everett. Do you know where he might be?” Phin looked around at the guests on the lawn, not seeing him anywhere.

  Phin bade his brother goodbye and went inside in search of Everett. Everett wasn’t in as close to this situation, and so, he could keep a level head.

  As if knowing Phin was looking for him, Everett stood at the French doors separating the parlour from the side garden.

  He was quiet after hearing Phin’s story. “I’m happy Mercy got the jewels back.” She was wearing a piece Everett had never seen before. It must be part of her mother’s collection.

  Elizabeth stopped Mercy in the hallway leading to the music rooms. “The music room is here on the right, and the parlour is down the hall on your left. There are refreshments in each room. If you desire. Do you need anything else, Elizabeth?”

  “Why yes, Mercy. What a beautiful necklace. Is that your mother’s jewellery?”

  Mercy touched the piece and smiled. “Phin got it out of storage, among other things. He just showed me them. My mother had beautiful pieces.”

  “You know, don’t you, that Phin lost that piece, among other of your mother’s jewellery. In a card game. Very unfortunate.” Elizabeth tsked and shook her head. “There were so many valuable items he gambled away, that your father had to send him away.”

  “That’s not what happened at all, Elizabeth. My father was a gambler who didn’t like having everything he owned put into trust so that he couldn’t gamble it away. You’re right that he was so furious with Phin that he disowned his own son. You’re wrong about the circumstances behind it.”

  Elizabeth took Mercy’s hand and patted it. “That’s a nice story Phin made up to put a shine on your broken family. Why, everyone knows the truth, dear. You’re wasting your breath, trying to convince anyone otherwise.”

  Mercy lifted her arm and called Foster over. She spoke directly to him. “Unfortunately, Lady Elizabeth needs to go back to London immediately.”

  “What?” Elizabeth protested.

  “So, please summon three footmen and her carriage. One will accompany her to her room and wait until she’s packed. If she should have difficulty packing on her own, the other two footmen have my permission to throw everything she brought into her trunks. Tell them not to worry about how neat they pack. Lady Elizabeth is in a hurry.

  “The two footmen are to carry her trunks to her waiting carriage and secure them on the roof. Also, Lady Elizabeth is feeling faint. A footman should stay by her side at all times and keep her from our guests, in case her illness is contagious.

  “She’s anxious to leave. Please make sure this is all accomplished within the next half hour.”

  Mercy turned to Elizabeth, whose face was an unattractive purple colour. She curtsied and said, “Lady Elizabeth. I’m so sorry you are unable to stay. I will convey your regrets to our guests on you having to leave so soon. Goodbye.”

  “Mercy, wait. You misunderstood me. We need to talk more,” Elizabeth said, uneasy.

  “Good day, Elizabeth.”

  Mercy walked down the hall and took a left turn. She was out of Elizabeth’s sight. Elizabeth began to follow her but was guided by Foster putting his body in front of her and sweeping her towards the stairs. He dropped his hand almost immediately after putting it on her elbow and stood between her and the rest of the guests. Mercy stopped, peeking around the corner, and began to search for Phin.

  Phin had conflicting feelings on Mercy’s encounter with Elizabeth. He loved that she was no longer at the party, but he knew this would ratchet up her need for revenge.

  Elizabeth was blaming Phin’s gambling for his father’s decision to disown him. That was easy enough to refute. He sighed. They best get started now, while they were all at Collinswood. Elizabeth and Bernard could have done more damage by the time they returned to London. Back there, who knows how much damage they could do?

  Chapter 10

  Phin knew the party was going well by just listening to the hum of voices. It was a musical sound, very different from the discordant sounds he sometimes heard, mostly in the House of Lords.

  Phin sat on the patio and watched Charlotte play croquet. He had purposefully kept Charlotte at arm’s length. She was making friends with other partygoers; she was enjoying herself. He would gradually increase the time he spent with her. This party was important to him. He lifted his face and looked around. They didn’t know it, but all these people were here so he could spend time with Charlotte without having to go through Bernard.

  Genevieve sat on the patio a few chairs away. Phin moved to a seat next to her.

  “Lady Genevieve, would you like to join the game? Are there no more mallets available?”

  “Oh, no, thank you, Your Grace. I’m enjoying the game, watching from here.” Phin followed Genevieve’s eyes until they reach Charlotte. “She seems to be enjoying herself?”

  “She is. Oh, she is. If this were an experiment to see if a very social young lady could live with a not so social young man, I think the experiment was a success.”

  Phin thought about what Genevieve said. He wondered if it was a success, and if so, what that meant. “Yes, well I pity my Duchess for having to live so far away from London most of the time. A house party is all well and good, but the castle does not always buzz with such activity.”

  Genevieve looked at Phin, staring at the crook of his nose, the set of his jaw. She opened her mouth and closed it. She opened it again.

  “I think you are torturing yourself, Your Grace. You are trying to anticipate every pitfall to your marriage, when in fact, it will turn on the feelings you both have for one another. You have feelings for her, I know. You asked me if you could court her. But that’s not how I know. I know because I see the way you look at her. With love and with fear. Let the fear go. There is nothing for you to fear.”

  “She is young and has lived a rather sheltered life. All this,” Genevieve waved at the activity on the lawn, “is very exciting for a young lady new to London society. But she needs to be grounded to the long life ahead. You’re not offering her a death sentence, even though you think you are. You’re offering her something very important, love, stability. She’d
be a very lucky young lady to end up with a husband like you.”

  “I plan to ask for her. I’m not sure she is ready yet. But soon. I still fear her getting restless, but I’m overcoming that fear. I need her in so many different ways; I’m not sure she would get bored. Now that we are here, without the pressure of London, it is clear to me. It would be a good match for both of us.” He raised an eyebrow, “You know, there is another who wants to claim her affections.”

  Genevieve sighed. “Yes, I do. I can’t say I like it, but it’s not my decision.”

  “Lady Genevieve, ask your solicitor to check Lord Bernard. I’m concerned; has it occurred to you that he may be after Charlotte’s dowry?”