Courting Miss Vallois (15 page)

‘Unfortunately, that is the rumour now circulating,' Sophie said. ‘The ladies said Mr Silverton would have no choice but to take her down to the country.'

‘Oh dear, this is dreadful.'

‘Are we to tell her?' Sophie asked.

‘Not yet. I am expected at a poetry reading at Lady Henley's later today,' Lavinia said. ‘No doubt it will be well attended and I shall make discreet enquiries as to how far the rumours have spread. But if it's true, we will have no choice but to tell Jane and her brother. They must be made aware of what is being said and given a
chance to refute it. Even so, I fear it may be too late.' Lavinia's expression said it all. ‘Jane's reputation may be lost to all hope of salvation.'

S
adly, upon Lavinia's returning home later that afternoon, Sophie discovered it was worse than either of them thought.

‘Of course, no one seems willing to say who saw Jane enter the gentleman's rooms,' Lavinia said, hardly able to contain her anger. ‘Speculation has it that a well-placed gentleman let it slip at one of the clubs, whereupon it soon became common knowledge at all the rest. Then it found its way into the drawing rooms of society.'

‘But why will no one say which “well-placed gentleman” made the comment?' Sophie asked.

‘Because that's not the way it's done.' Lavinia pulled off her gloves. ‘Some misplaced notion of honour amongst thieves, I suppose. Besides, it doesn't matter. Several other people saw Jane speaking to a gentleman in the park, and when you add that to what I truly believe is an out-and-out lie, the damage is done.'

‘Did they say who the gentleman in the park was?'

‘Several names were mentioned, but no one could say
for certain. And there is no way of knowing if it is the same man whose rooms she is reputed to have visited.'

‘I cannot believe this,' Sophie said. ‘Who would wish to harm Jane in such a cruel and inhumane way?'

Lavinia sighed. ‘I don't know, but I fear we have no choice. We must pay a call on Jane and Robert as soon as possible. They must be made aware of what is being said.' She walked towards the window and drew the curtain aside. She was quiet for a long time. ‘I feel terribly guilty for saying this, but it seems one good thing has come out of all this.'

‘What's that?'

Lavinia turned and gave her a crooked smile. ‘Nobody is talking about what happened at Lady Chiswick's any more.'

 

Fortunately, both Jane and Robert were at home when Lavinia and Sophie paid their call half an hour later. Jane was reading in the drawing room, and Robert came down shortly thereafter. He was dressed for going out and looked exceedingly handsome in his black-and-white evening attire. Sophie couldn't help wondering where he was going and who he was going to see. Lady Annabelle Durst, perhaps? To thank her for speaking up on their behalf? Or for reasons of his own…

‘I'm sorry to be calling so late,' Lavinia said when the four of them were seated in the drawing room, ‘but I thought it best not to waste any time.'

‘You appear distraught, Lady Longworth,' Robert said. ‘Has this something to do with what happened at Lady Chiswick's?'

‘I fear this is actually worse. It seems, Mr Silverton, that someone is out to damage your sister's reputation.'
And with as much detail as she could provide, Lavinia told them what she knew of the situation.

The clatter of Jane's cane falling to the floor made everyone jump. But when Sophie saw the girl slump forward in her chair, she quickly ran to her side. ‘Jane!'

Lavinia was on her feet. ‘Smelling salts?'

Robert nodded. ‘I'll fetch them.'

Sophie clutched the girl's limp body in her arms. ‘
Sapristi!
If I ever find out who did this—'

‘Calm yourself, Sophie, we will find out,' Lavinia said. ‘For now we must keep our wits about us.'

Sophie nodded. ‘Help me sit her back up.'

‘Salts,' Robert said, coming in and handing them over.

‘Thank you.' Lavinia removed the lid and held them under Jane's nose.

The effect was immediate. The girl's head snapped up and her eyes flew open, only to fill at once with tears.

‘No, Jane, you mustn't cry,' Sophie said as Lavinia handed the bottle back to Robert. ‘We shall ask the maid for tea—'

‘No! I don't want anyone to come in!' Jane cried.

‘But you must have something!'

Robert walked to the sideboard and poured a glass of brandy. ‘Here, dearest,' he said, handing it to her. ‘The fire will put some colour back in your cheeks.'

Jane took the glass and gazed up at her brother through her tears. ‘It's not true, Robert. I swear it's not true. I have never visited any gentleman in his rooms. I would never—'

‘I know.' His smile was infinitely gentle. ‘It never
occurred to me you would. And we
will
get to the bottom of this.'

‘Robert, I'm so sorry,' Lavinia said, ‘but we thought you needed to know what was being said.'

‘I am grateful to you and Miss Vallois for having the courage to come and tell us.' He paused. ‘Given what happened at Lady Chiswick's, I would understand you preferring to have nothing more to do with me.'

Sophie and Lavinia exchanged a glance. ‘Mr Silverton,' Lavinia said, ‘were you aware of the relationship between Lady Mary Kelsey and Lady Chiswick before you went to Lady Chiswick's house?'

‘No. I wasn't even acquainted with Lord or Lady Chiswick. I went at Oberon's insistence. He told me Lord Chiswick was most anxious to show me his collection of hunting trophies.'

‘Hunting trophies.' Lavinia sniffed. ‘God help you if
all
your friends are so caring of your welfare, Mr Silverton. However, having now established that you did not wilfully intend to provoke Lady Chiswick, and with Lady Annabelle's assurances that you and Sophie were not alone in the garden, I think we can dismiss the matter. The fact that people know Sophie was employed by Mrs Grant-Ogilvy is a trifling matter at best. Your sister's defamation is what we must now turn our attention to.'

‘At least now I know why I was getting such strange looks at the club this afternoon,' Robert murmured. A shutter dropped down over his eyes. ‘I know it is an imposition, but would it be possible for one of you to stay with Jane for a little while? I have to go out.'

‘I'll stay,' Sophie said, disappointed that his social
engagement should take precedence over Jane's predicament. ‘And it is no imposition.'

His smile rested on her for a moment, the tenderness of his gaze causing her pulse to beat erratically. ‘Thank you. I shall return as quickly as possible. Jane, will you be all right without me?'

Wearily, Jane nodded. With a last look at Sophie, he left, closing the door behind him.

‘Well, I suppose I had best go and apprise Nicholas of what's happened,' Lavinia said, getting to her feet. ‘Perhaps he can find out more details. Send word when you want the carriage, Sophie, but stay as long as you need. Goodnight, Jane. Try to get some rest.'

‘Thank you, Lady Longworth, I will.'

With a nod, Sophie closed the door. When she turned back, it was to see a trace of colour seeping back into Jane's pallid cheeks. The brandy, no doubt. ‘Don't worry, Jane,' Sophie said, sitting down beside her. ‘Your brother will not allow these lies to be perpetuated. This will all be put to rights.'

‘Unfortunately, the damage is already done,' Jane said quietly. ‘You don't know how society works, Sophie. From what you've told me, it is my word against a gentleman's and society will never take mine over his. I know what they say about me. That I am a cripple and that…I shall never marry. They probably think I had no
choice
but to throw myself at a man in such a way.'

‘No one who knows you would ever believe such lies!' Sophie said fiercely. ‘I cannot imagine who would wish to hurt you like this.'

‘Perhaps Lady Mary has decided to take her revenge,' Jane said. ‘If I have no hope of marrying, Robert will be for ever forced to look after me.' She sniffed and
reached for her handkerchief. ‘I can't imagine what your brother must think.'

‘I'm not sure Antoine knows. He and Nicholas were out most of the afternoon.'

‘He will hear soon enough,' Jane said, fresh tears welling. ‘And he must have nothing to do with me, lest he be the one people believe I visited and his own reputation suffers as a result.'

‘But he doesn't even
keep
rooms in London.'

‘No one will care about that. They will say he rented a room for the night, or borrowed a friend's home. They will say he compromised me beyond all hope of redemption. Only think what that will do to his reputation.'

‘I don't imagine he would care greatly,' Sophie said. ‘I've seen the way he looks at you, Jane. And the way you look at him.'

This time when the girl's cheeks reddened, Sophie knew it had nothing to do with the brandy. ‘Is it really so obvious?' Jane asked.

‘It is to me. I'm not sure it is to anyone else.'

Jane was silent for a time, twisting her handkerchief around and around in her hands. ‘I'm so sorry, Sophie. I think I lost my heart to Antoine the first time I saw him. I'm sure you can understand why.'

Yes, Sophie could, though her acceptance of it made it no better for any of them. ‘Has he made you any promises?'

‘He knows he cannot. Without my brother's consent, it would be impossible for us to marry and Antoine does not wish to incur Robert's anger. Besides, he has to return very soon to France and I cannot go with him.'

‘Oh, Jane, I wish I knew what to say.'

‘There is nothing to say. The circumstances are all
wrong.' Jane's voice was light, but her eyes were filled with sadness. ‘I'm not the first woman to love a man she cannot have and I certainly won't be the last.'

‘You make it sound so final.'

‘I learned a long time ago that life isn't always fair. But I will have the memory of his love, and I believe he will remember me when he returns to France. I just worry what he will think when he hears these dreadful stories.'

‘He will think the same as the rest of us,' Sophie reassured her. ‘He will
not
believe these lies. Indeed, he will be as furious as your brother.' She thought about the look on Robert's face as he'd walked out the door. ‘And something tells me Mr Silverton in a temper is not a thing
any
man would wish to experience.'

 

There was only one thought on Robert's mind as he strode into Oberon's favourite hell—and it was not charitable. It became even less so when he found his enemy in one of the upstairs rooms seated at a table with four other men, all of them titled, all of them rip-roaring drunk.

‘Silver! What a surprise!' Oberon called around the whore in his lap. ‘Hutton, give Silver your chair—'

‘I'm not here to gamble,' Robert said. ‘I've come for a word with you.'

‘Perhaps later. As you can see, I'm very busy—'

‘Now!' Robert gently, but firmly, pulled the half-naked woman from Oberon's lap. ‘In private or I'll know the reason why.'

In an instant, Oberon's smile disappeared. He glanced at the faces of the men seated around the table, aware of the curiosity burning in their eyes, and said,
‘Very well. But you'd better have a damn good explanation for this.'

‘Trust me. I do.'

Oberon downed the rest of his brandy. He stood up and led the way out of the room into the darkened corridor. Stopping at a second door, he opened it and they walked into a room that looked to be an office. ‘Now, what's this all about—'

‘You know damn well what it's about.' Robert slammed the door. ‘Someone's been spreading lies about Jane.'

‘Really? I can't imagine who would do such a thing,' Oberon said.

‘Can't you? A name leaped immediately to
my
mind.'

The cobra reared up, its black eyes as cold as the death it would surely deal. ‘Careful, my friend. Damaging stories can be told about a gentleman as well as a lady.'

‘So you admit to telling lies about my sister.'

‘Who is to say what is truth and what is a lie? Certainly not those who listen with equal fervour to both. But I admit to nothing,' Oberon snapped. ‘And if you attempt to put it about that I did, you
will
suffer the consequences. To call the son of a peer a liar is a serious offence.'

‘No more serious than destroying the reputation of an innocent young woman.'

‘If such is the case, I am sorry for you, Silver. But don't say I didn't warn you.'

It was as good as an admission of guilt—and they both knew it. ‘You won't get away with this,' Robert said. ‘As God is my witness, I
will
bring you down.'

He left before the man had a chance to respond, fear
ing that if Oberon said another word, he would call him out on the spot. Duelling might have been outlawed in England, but there were still places where it could be done and circumstances under which it would be forgiven. Robert had a feeling that before this despicable affair was over, he would be intimately acquainted with both.

 

It was several hours before Robert was of a mood to go home. He wandered through the empty streets, too angry to be of comfort to Jane, too incensed by the nature of injustice done to be pleasant company for Sophie.

Sophie.
He couldn't even think about her in the same breath as Oberon, that cunning, immoral bastard. How like him to try to turn this back on Robert. As though it was his fault Jane should be made to suffer. The man had no more conscience than a corpse, and thinking of that brought to mind something else he'd once told Robert…

‘I hold people's lives in the palm of my hand and offer them back in exchange for a favour. No one cares if making good on that favour destroys someone else's happiness. All they care about is restoring their own. So it all comes down to choice. The question is…whose happiness will it be? And what price are they willing to pay?'

Certainly not the happiness of the person who'd gambled it away in the first place, Robert acknowledged bitterly.

He was so lost in thought that he didn't see the person stumbling towards him until they actually collided. ‘Watch where you're going, man!' Robert grunted,
already reaching for the dagger concealed in his sleeve. London after dark was a dangerous place, rife with pickpockets and thieves. But when he looked up to see the face of his would-be attacker, he realised it wasn't a thief at all. It was Lawrence Welton. ‘Lawrence, are you all right?'