An Unlikely Countess (44 page)

“Thank you, Lady Malzard, but for the moment I must settle my child.”

The dowager inclined her head and sailed away, duty done. It wasn’t exactly her duty, but Prudence was grateful that her mother-in-law had taken over.

Lady Rothgar smiled at her with some understanding. “In a little while, I would appreciate some tea. It would be kind if you’d share it? I long to hear all about your adventures.”

Prudence could only agree, but she hurried in search of Cate, finding him in his library with Perry.

“You survived?” he said. “We have brandy.”

“So does the baby.”

Perry whistled. “Is that the secret?”

“Just rubbed on the gums.” Prudence accepted a glass and sipped. “She wants to know all my adventures!”

“Don’t be too awed,” Cate said. “She’s only a little higher in station than you.”

“It doesn’t feel like that. I remember seeing her once in Northallerton. It was as if she came from a different sphere. She has such an air.”

“Impressively sure of herself and her authority,” said Perry. “That’s why I brought her here. My angelic gift—her limitless cachet.”

“What?” Prudence asked.

“Playing host to the Countess of Arradale—we’ll leave aside Lady Rothgar for the moment—covers you with approval here in the north. Even though you can’t fete her with a ball, word will spread.”

Cate toasted her. “According to Perry, and he would know, her glorious light will eliminate the smallest shadow from your character.”

Prudence knocked back some more brandy. “But should I tell her the truth?”

Cate fired a questioning look at Perry.

“Lord Rothgar has the reputation of being omniscient,” Perry said. “All a matter of eyes and ears in many places, I suspect, but it’s his way to dig out details on anything or anyone that could affect him and his. When his lady returns to his side and tells her stories, he’ll turn his attentions on Keynings and the Burgoynes.”

“Then why the devil bring her here?” Cate demanded.

“To enhance Prudence’s reputation in the north, but also because you both must go to Town. The Marquess and Marchioness of Rothgar can smooth your way there.”

“Have you considered that the marquess might not bless us with his favor?” Cate asked. “We could entangle his wife in dangerous matters.”

“True enough—if harm comes to her or the child here, you’d best flee to the ends of the earth, but if you have her favor, you’ll have his. You might find, Prudence, that you and she have more in common than you think.”

“Apart from being women, I can’t imagine what that might be.”

“You’re both countesses,” Cate pointed out.

“But she’s also a marchioness and born to greatness.” Prudence drained her brandy glass and went to order the tea.

Then she hurried to tidy herself, regretting the lack of a lady’s maid who would know how to arrange her hair, and probably how to make a plain gown look finer than it was. She was tempted to change into her finer one, but that would look ridiculous.

“Both countesses,” she muttered to herself in the mirror. “Ha!”

When she sat to take tea with Lady Rothgar, however, she was put at her ease. Lady Rothgar immediately said, “In the north I prefer to use my own title of Lady Arradale, but I would take it kindly if we could be on first-name terms. I’m Diana.”

“Then I’m Prudence,” Prudence said, struggling not to add a “my lady.” She poured the tea.

“An unfortunate name,” Diana said frankly. “Yes, milk, please. Such names are not common in the nobility. Too reminiscent, perhaps, of the Commonwealth period.”

“It came down in my father’s family, and they were supporters of Cromwell.”

Diana took her tea and drank. “Ah, that’s very welcome. Now, tell me your story. Perriam would give me only hints, the wretch.”

“You know him well, my . . . Diana?”

“Everyone in Town knows Perriam. He’s a delightful imp.”

“Or the archangel Raphael,” said Prudence, and told Diana about that bit of nonsense.

Diana smiled, but said, “The demons interest me more, especially so close to my lands.”

My lands.
It was said with such confidence. Prudence wondered what it would be like to feel that sort of unconstrained possession of so much. But surely by marriage, all Diana owned was now her husband’s.

Diana was looking at her quizzically, doubtless wondering at her silence, so Prudence began her story, leaving nothing out.

“Your brother didn’t treat you well,” Lady Rothgar said, accepting another cup of tea.

Her tone was so cold that Prudence defended Aaron. “It was more carelessness than malice. He’s always been blind to what he doesn’t want to see.”

“Many are. And his wife? Is she the same?”

“Oh, no. Susan isn’t blind to anything. I doubt we’ll ever become friends, but I understand and respect her. Her father too. I don’t regard him less because he’s built his good standing from nothing. People put great importance on birth, but I’ve learned that the lowborn are as capable of great things as any.”

“Or incapable. There are idle, wastrel fools among the poor as well.”

That way of putting it made Prudence laugh.

“We’re all the same clay? Then shouldn’t the poor have more opportunities? Hetty’s little boy may prove capable of more than simple labor, but without education, he’ll have no opportunity.”

She found herself in a spirited discussion of education for the poor, for girls as well as boys, and that moved on to the inequality of women in the eyes of the law.

“Only consider your case, Prudence. If women were able to seek the same employment as men, you would have been able to support your family. I suspect you’d be better suited to that than your brother.”

“Become a
lawyer
?”

“Why not? All it requires is study, of which you’re capable.”

“My head’s spinning.”

“You see,” Diana said cheerfully, “I’m far more outrageous than you. Now, let’s summon Lord Malzard. I’m very interested in his plans for Demon Draydale.”

She didn’t seem to think that summoning an earl in his own house was outrageous. If Cate did, he still came, and Perry too.

“In essence,” he told Diana, “I plan to ride to Darlington with attendants, make myself known as the Earl of Malzard, and confront Draydale with his sins. In public.”

“If he denies them?”

“As far as his business sins go, I have evidence and witnesses—those who’ve been afraid to speak out and complain, but will, with my support.”

“And mine,” Diana said, smiling fiercely. “Darlington isn’t in my territory, but all matters in the north interest me. You will permit me to accompany you?”

Cate considered her. “I planned to ride, and there could be risk.”

“I am an excellent rider. Also an excellent shot and swordswoman.”

“Remember,” Prudence said, “I’m going too.”

Cate looked at her. “Matters are more serious now. You can’t ride, shoot, or wield a sword.”

“But this
is
my territory. I sowed the seeds of much of this, and Draydale has attacked me and those close to me. I wish to see his downfall. And I need him to see me seeing it.”

His lips tightened as if he’d object, but then he nodded. “It’s your right. And, Lady Rothgar, if you wish to come, I won’t attempt to stop you.”

“As well,” she said tartly. “If you please, Malzard, address me as Lady Arradale in this. I am not acting as my husband’s deputy.”

Prudence had to bite her lips on laughter to see Cate struggling with this unnatural situation, but for her own part, she liked a great deal about it. She hadn’t been born to great station as Diana had, but she was now a countess, with powers and authority. She hoped to learn how to use them well.

“Excellent,” said Perry, who didn’t seem surprised by any of it. “Then let’s consider how to make this progress of retribution in grand style.”

T
he next day they set out for Darlington in force, Prudence riding pillion behind Cate on a substantial horse, wearing her fine black outfit. The pillion was very like a sideways chair, even having a little platform for her feet, but she said, “Surely this will slow you.”

“There’s no need for speed, and I want people to see us and note us.”

“I’m sure they will,” she said, looking around. Perry had taken charge of the event, and the result was unforgettable.

They were attended by six armed and mounted retainers—that was to say grooms—wearing a livery from the previous century that had been dug out of the attics. There was a great deal of braid, and they had wide-brimmed hats with plumes.

She hadn’t known Cate had a running footman, but he did, and the man paced ahead in his splendid livery, carrying the gold-topped staff that warned a great person approached.

Perry rode a magnificent black horse and wore elegant riding clothes, sword at his side. In contrast, Cate wore his old riding clothes, the ones people in Darlington might remember. His breeches had been skillfully mended, but the mend and the bloodstains showed.

Diana rode astride in a crimson riding habit with a mannish jacket, a stock at her neck, and her hair tied back like a man’s beneath her three-cornered hat. She had pistols at her saddle and a sword at her side. She looked the great lady of the north, and indeed, thought Prudence, why should such a woman be seen as less than a man?

A nursing mother from the estate would feed Diana’s child as well as her own while Diana was away.

“I’ll be uncomfortable,” she told Prudence, “and will have to squeeze out milk, but I want a message sent to all men who trample the innocent in their greed up here in the north.”

They attracted notice all along the road, especially as the running footman went ahead. He didn’t announce anything, but everyone knew an important person must be coming, and they lined the road to watch.

The grooms had been told to share the bare bones of the story with some—that the Earl of Malzard rode to bring a miscreant to justice. Most of the watchers had to return to their work, but a few followed to see the fun, lengthening their train.

“Perhaps we should have banners,” Prudence said when they stopped to water the horses.

“Declaring ‘Death to All Demons’?” Cate said. “I wish I’d thought of it.”

“You’re enjoyng this.”

He grinned. “Yes.”

“Madman.”

He kissed her there, in view of all.

By the time they approached Darlington about twenty people came behind, a few on horseback, but most on foot. Near the town, the road was lined with people of all ages, all wondering at the unusual sight. More began to follow them then, keen to see the show.

Someone recognized Diana, and the word spread. “It’s Lady Arradale!” Diana bowed to people, smiling.

When they entered the town, someone recognized Cate.

“That’s the one as bloodied Draydale’s nose!”

The name traveled through the crowd on a dark murmur. “Draydale, Draydale, Draydale . . .” Oh, yes, many knew how vile Henry Draydale could be.

They rode to the marketplace, the heart of the town, and took up position there. The running footman took out a paper and in a carrying voice declared to the crowd, “His lordship the Earl of Malzard, Viscount Roecliff, Baron Malsonby and Preel, comes here to accuse Henry Draydale of this town of divers crimes and cruelties: that in respect of the lead mine at Briggleby, he did threaten others, and order violence against one, that they should not bid on the mine, and thus he purchased it at less than its fair value; that he sent men to terrify the commons holders near Briggleby so that they dared not object to a road being built through their common land; that he paid witnesses at the trial of Samuel Greenock to gain a conviction; that . . .” The list rolled on, and this was only what Cate’s people had found in scratching the surface.

Prudence saw Tallbridge appear at the back of the crowd, Susan and Aaron at his side. Was Tallbridge implicated in any of the crimes? She prayed not.

Eventually the footman got to recent events: “That he caused damage to be made to a carriage in hope of serious injury or death to the travelers; that he ordered the burning of a house in White Rose Yard, Northallerton, without concern for the lives of those living there; that he caused a man of that town, one William Larn, to be unfairly arrested for theft; that he did strike a woman in anger, that woman being precious to the Earl of Malzard, and now his countess, here before you.”

At this point, the footman took a well-deserved deep breath and declared, “For all these crimes and many others, Henry Draydale is summoned here to account for himself, and surrender himself to justice.”

There was a great pause and silence, everyone waiting as if Draydale might appear. The next plan, she knew, was to ride in procession to Draydale’s house and repeat the accusations at his door.

As expected, Draydale didn’t appear.

The running footman declared the intent to ride to his house, but just then, someone cried from the back of the crowd, “He’s running. Draydale’s off in a chaise and six!”

Part of the crowd in that direction turned to give chase, their cries sending shivers down Prudence’s spine. Despite everything, she hoped they didn’t catch him.

Cate spoke then, his voice strong. “Let notice of his crimes be posted around Darlington, and in Northallerton, Gisborough, Stockton, and the many other sites of his cruelties. And let none befriend him, unless they wish to embrace the same accusations. If any have details of other cruelties and crimes, his or another’s, send them to me.”

Diana moved her horse forward and spoke in a clear, carrying voice: “I am Diana, Countess of Arradale. This is not my land, but you know of me, and you know I stand for the good of the people of the north.” Did she model herself on Good Queen Bess? Prudence wondered. “I declare Henry Draydale outlaw in the north.”