The Lady and the Vixen Read online

  “Companion? That’s all?” He laughed and slapped the arm of the chair. “I guess she has missed you. You two used to be the best of friends before you both married.”

  “Yes, we were very close once.” She expelled a stuttering breath. “While I was at Pythos, I talked to a woman who worked there. She told me about Irena’s activities at the club and how she prefers the company of women over men.” She dug her fingers in her lap, steadying herself for what she was about to admit. “We have that in common.”

  “I don’t understand what you—oh.” His jaw dropped. He stood and muttered something under his breath she couldn’t catch.

  “When you mean company, you mean Irena enjoys women in the—” He blinked and his face reddened. “But she was married and—”

  “I was also.” She left her chair and placed her hand on his arm. When he didn’t flinch or push her away, she sighed in relief.

  “I think I need a drink.” His eyes darted wildly over her face.

  “I’m sorry to spring this on you, but you would find out eventually and question why I decided to live with Irena when I have my own home. It will be all for the best.” She smiled brightly, hoping she hid her skepticism.

  He grasped her upper arms. “It doesn’t make any sense. I’ve seen Irena at Pythos many times before with some of the ladies there, but before her husband died, he was always with her. After he passed, I just assumed…I didn’t know what to think since she and Father have become close in recent years.”

  “Father and Irena are friends? But…” Her voice grew hoarse. She was dumbfounded by the new piece of information.

  “Yes, a year or so after her husband died, she and Father started having dinner together. Many times she would even dine with us here. I never thought anything strange about it until—”

  Suddenly, the door sprang open, and Freddy stood there with his hair on end. “Rue is in labor. She’s having the baby!”

  Colby and Lucy rushed to Freddy. Chase rushed down the stairs, threw open the front door, ran out. Some of the housemaids hurried up the stairs, and Walter came out from the kitchen with the housekeeper trailing him.

  “Chase went to get the doctor. Aunt Sera is with her now. Rue was napping, but then she woke up moaning, and she’s drenched in sweat and other fluids.” Freddy’s hand shook as he ran his palm down his face. “She’s in pain.”

  Lucy patted his arm. “All will be well. Chase will bring the doctor, and he’ll make sure Rue and the baby are safe.”

  “Rue was asking for you. It’s why I interrupted you and Colby.” Freddy latched onto her hand.

  “I’ll see how she’s doing.” She turned to Colby. “Why don’t you and Freddy sit in the drawing room and have a drink together? It will settle both your nerves.” She pulled Colby off to the side while Walter and Freddy talked.

  “Keep Freddy calm. Rue’s been in good health, so there’s nothing to worry about,” she said, focused on helping Rue in whatever way she could.

  “At least I can do something right for once in this family and keep the father-to-be calm,” Colby said.

  She smiled in approval. “Yes, you can. For now, forget all your other ongoing problems and concentrate on Rue and the wonderful new life she’ll bring into this world.”

  “We’ll talk more when things die down.” Placing a kiss on her cheek, he left to take care of Freddy.

  Ignoring her jittering stomach, she went to support her sister, who was about to experience the most amazing event in her married life. Unlike Lucy, whose odds at remarrying and having a child of her own were practically nil.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Tisha scanned the invitation, wanting nothing more than to burn it. Aidan had handed it to her, saying she and Da were also invited to the marchioness’s ball this Saturday. He’d also told her a big surprise was in store, an announcement he didn’t want her to miss out on. She had a strong feeling what the announcement would be. And if things did go according to his plan, Abbie would be devastated.

  Would Lucy be there? She tapped the paper on her chin, recalling the lady who had been so responsive in her arms. She wouldn’t mind another go at the woman. If only Lucy contacted her, which she’d been expecting since she told the lady that ominous message about her father and brother, as well as holding her shawl hostage. She was sick of waiting and would have to take matters into her own hands regarding Mrs. Lucy Endcott.

  Speaking of taking matters into her own hands, she marched up to the third level and down the hall to her father’s rooms. The door to his sitting area was open, and voices came from within. She stopped in the doorway, disgruntled by the cozy sight. He stood in front of a long mirror as a tailor measured his arms and back. There was a mention of the color of coat he wanted to wear for the ball. In front of the windows, as Abbie fed Aidan grapes. He nipped her fingers, and she giggled. Their love for one another shone in both their eyes.

  She fisted the invitation, ready to crumple it into a ball. Her anger toward her brother swelled. One word from her, and Abbie would walk out of his life forever.

  Da glanced in her direction, and a wide grin broke across his face. “There’s my darlin’ daughter!”

  “Yes, your darlin’ daughter who can’t believe you’re seriously thinking of attending this ball hosted by that horrid woman.” She waved the invitation and stomped toward Aidan, who made calf eyes at Abbie. She flicked the paper at him, and it landed on his lap. Abbie read the paper, her happy face losing some of its sparkle.

  “You’ve been invited to the marchioness’s ball? I never knew you and her were friends.” She shifted out from under Aidan’s arm.

  He popped a grape into his mouth. “I was friends with her husband before he was killed. Irena and I became close after his death.”

  “Close?” She shook her head, showing her bewilderment.

  Tisha crossed her arms and tapped her foot, waiting for him to explain. When he stroked Abbie’s hand, she slapped him away.

  “What’s wrong?” He chewed his grapes slowly.

  “I don’t like how that woman hangs all over you.” She hugged her arms around her waist.

  The air in the room grew thick, and Tisha looked at her father for assistance. He stared in the mirror as the tailor bent and measured his leg.

  “You can take Abbie as your guest,” she offered. With Abbie by Aidan’s side, he wouldn’t dally with the widowed marchioness.

  Aidan tapped his fingers on his knee and gave her an annoyed glare. “As much as I would like to take Abbie, I can’t. She wouldn’t be welcome at such a gathering, and Irena won’t let me anywhere near her if I have another woman with me.”

  A strangled cry rose from Abbie, and she flew up from her seat. “I can’t believe you would say such a thing!” She backed away when he stood, pleading with her to calm down.

  Da snapped his fingers, and the tailor rose, gathering his things. Aidan approached Abbie. She backed away. Tisha waited for Aidan to justify what he had said.

  Abbie ran from the room. Aidan rushed after her, yelling her name. The tailor wisely kept quiet and left.

  “Jaysus.” Tisha sat on the couch. Da sat next to her and stared at her in disappointment.

  “What?” She selected a grape from the bowl and took a bite.

  “Antagonizing your brother is wrong.” He lifted his finger when she started to argue. “And don’t tell me you didn’t mean to. The moment you came in here, talkin’ about the marchioness’s ball, you knew it would cause a problem between those two.”

  “Problem? Aidan’s going to have a world of problems with Abbie when she finds out his arrangement with the marchioness, which I assume will be announced at the ball?”

  “Yes, the arrangement will not only benefit Aidan, but us.”

  She stood and paced in front of Da, who crossed one leg over the other and took a cigar from his pocket.

  “Da, how can you sit here like this? The marchioness isn’t what Aidan needs. What about Abbie? She thinks Aidan and she
are to be married!”

  He lit his cigar and puffed. “Aidan can keep Abbie on the side, and they can continue as they are. Abbie will understand. She’s turned a blind eye to his indiscretions in the past.”

  “Aidan’s indiscretions?” Disgust rolled through her at the idea of her brother betraying Abbie in such a way, especially after she’d been so devoted to him for so long. “But this isn’t one of his indiscretions. This is marriage to a woman surrounded by speculations and rumors regarding her husband’s death and her extracurricular activities, most of which occur within these walls. I have a bad feeling about the entire thing.”

  Da sighed and stood. “You have a big heart like your ma. She would probably be upset also, but you’re not seeing the benefits of having the marchioness as part of this family. Aidan needs her to become a well-respected member of society and to infiltrate the upper crust. His revenge against his father will then be complete. With the marchioness by his side, he can concentrate on becoming a better man.”

  “And what does the marchioness get out of the bargain, other than Aidan?” She shuddered to think what intimacies had been shared between the two, and what their marriage bed would be like. Also the idea he would procreate with such an abhorrent woman made her stomach churn.

  “The marchioness would gain more power and money to add to her coffers with my full support. She’ll also open doors for me, and, with her introduction, I can become a more respected businessman.” He cupped her cheek. “We won’t have to remain in the shadows any longer.”

  “You’re just as bad as Aidan, obsessed with respect from those snobbish hoity-toity types who have no problem enjoying what Pythos and your other clubs have to offer, but if they passed you on the street or you dined in the same restaurant, they would turn their noses up at you. That’s really so important to you? We have a pretty nice life now.”

  She went to the window and pushed aside the curtains to reveal the view of brick buildings covered with soot from the chimneys above. Beyond that was a cloudy sky, the familiar sight most days in London. In the West End, there weren’t as many buildings so close together, and more space with trees and vast lawns. Once she had wanted what the upper crust had, but she knew her place and was perfectly fine with it, unlike Da and Aidan, who always wanted more.

  “Darlin’, it will all work out for the best. Trust me.”

  She faced her father, who puffed on his cigar behind his desk. She had always trusted him in the past, but his and Aidan’s plan to infiltrate London society with Aidan’s marriage to the marchioness didn’t sit well with her at all. It was going to end in disaster, and she refused to stand by and not do anything to stop it.

  A shadow crossed the doorway, and Benji popped his head out, waving her over.

  “Da, be careful,” she warned.

  “I’m always careful.” He winked and turned his attention to the papers lying on his desk.

  She left the room, tugging Benji away. She took him down the stairs to the second level and to one of the vacant water closets.

  Closing the door, she leaned against it and faced the young lad, who rocked on his heels. For once, he had taken off his cap and held it to his chest.

  She took out a small pile of bills and slipped it inside his shirt pocket. “You have news about the lady I told you to keep an eye on?”

  “I did like you said. I watched the missus yesterday. She went inside a fancy hat shop with two ladies but didn’t leave with them. She came out with the pretty woman with the black hair who always comes here. You know, the one Aidan is always laughin’ and smilin’ with?”

  She held back a chuckle when he cupped his chest to indicate the marchioness’s generous bosom then traced the air to show her curves. When she finally registered what he had said, she stood up straighter.

  “The lady and Aidan’s pretty friend met at the shop? They left together?”

  He nodded. “They got in a big black carriage. I followed them, and they went inside a huge house with a lot of windows but didn’t come out for a long time. Finally, the lady came out. She ran down the sidewalk and sat on a bench and cried.”

  Lucy crying? She didn’t seem to be the type to grow emotional, and in public, unless—the marchioness was responsible?

  “How long did the lady cry?” she asked, concerned for Lucy’s emotional state.

  Benji’s tongue poked through the corner of his mouth. “It started raining, so not long.”

  She tapped her cheek, more than curious as to why Lucy went with the marchioness to her house and what they talked about. What made her cry? What if there had been little talk between the two women and something more intimate had been shared? Not liking where her thoughts were headed, she opened the door and stuck her head out. Seeing the hallway was empty, she motioned for Benji to exit the room.

  “You did a good job, Benji. Before you find Abbie and leave for the day, check with Cook to see if she has any sugar cookies left.” She’d rather Benji wait a bit before seeing his sister. If Abbie and Aidan were arguing, she didn’t want him to witness it.

  He dropped his cap on his head and, with a bow, hurried out of the water closet and down the hall.

  She left soon after and went up to her rooms where she planned to send a note to Lucy. They had to meet soon. She had to stop Aidan and his arrangement with the marchioness before it was too late. Lucy would be able to help her even though the woman might truly hate her when all was said and done and the past was revealed to all.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Say hello to your Auntie Lucy, Dinah,” Rue lifted her newborn daughter from her bassinet and handed her to Lucy.

  Lucy stared at her niece, bewitched. The baby yawned wide and closed her eyes. She smacked her lips and a tiny bubble formed there. “She’s a precious bundle with a beautiful name. If Mama was alive, she would be overjoyed to have her first granddaughter named in her honor,” she said to Rue, who stood next to her.

  Rue ran her hand over her daughter’s head. “Freddy thinks she’ll have all the boys in a tizzy when she’s older.” She rolled her eyes, and Lucy gave Dinah back to her. Rue swayed, rocking the baby in her arms.

  “Poor Freddy.” Lucy sat on one of the chairs next to window while Rue sat across from her.

  “He’ll be fine.” Rue rested Dinah on her arm. “He’s a little overprotective of me and Dinah, but he’ll grow out of it.”

  “He loves you two desperately. I thought he was going to pass out when he first heard you scream while you were in labor.”

  “He’s a good man. I’m very lucky.” Rue cooed at her sleeping daughter.

  She glanced at the front page of the newspaper, not digesting the words. She couldn’t concentrate on anything. Once upon a time, she wanted what Rue had, but it had never come to pass.

  “Lucy, you’re much quieter than usual. Is everything all right? You look tired.”

  She shrugged. She had tossed and turned the past three nights, her mind running in circles. In less than three days, she had to accept Irena’s ultimatum or Colby would suffer the consequences. If she made the sacrifice, she was doomed to repeat history. She wasn’t certain she would be able to survive a third time with Irena, who would force her to do things she had regretted when she had betrayed Giles.

  “I think the excitement over the past few days has gotten to me. Dealing with Father and Colby, and your joy over the birth of little Dinah, has me anxious.” She played with the edge of the newspaper. “I saw Irena while I ran some errands with Viola and Polly. She wants us to be friends again.”

  Rue opened her mouth but then shut it. Lucy tilted her head in question at her sister. “You have something on your mind?”

  Rue went to the bassinet and lay Dinah in it. Tightening the belt on her dressing gown, she sat down. She took Lucy’s hands and smiled gently.

  “You never told me why you and Irena ended your friendship. I assumed you two had a bad row, and after you left for Dorset, you lost touch. After she married her marquess, I
barely saw her at any of the functions I attended. Perhaps at the theater or in one of the shops, but we never talked. But then after her husband died, she and Father became friendly. It was the oddest thing!”

  She really didn’t want to know all the details about Irena and Father’s relationship, but not knowing was eating away at her. “Colby told me Father and Irena were”—she swallowed loudly—“courting.”

  Rue gave a tiny nod, and Lucy drew in a ragged breath. “I don’t think I want to hear any more.”

  “Irena is a beautiful woman and a rich widow. Father is the perfect catch. You know as well as I do he was dedicated to Mama and her memory. He never even considered another woman until Irena.” Rue shook her head sadly. “She would join us for dinner. She made Papa smile and was always pleasant to me. She constantly asked about you, and if you would ever come back to London to live.”

  “Our friendship ended because of a stupid argument. She tried to make amends when she visited Dorset the summer after her husband passed.” She stared past Rue’s shoulder, ashamed by her lies. “Irena wasn’t the same person I once called friend.” Or the woman I loved with everything inside me. “I thought it was best if we cut all ties, but, apparently, she didn’t want that if she was interested in Father.” Her stomach rolled as she envisioned Irena and Father kissing, among other things.

  “You think she became friends with Father because she wanted to get close to you again? I find it strange.” Rue rose when Dinah started to fuss.

  Everything about me and Irena is odd. She suddenly felt tired and wanted to nap before dinner. The discussion made her head hurt, and she wasn’t sure how to respond if Rue kept asking about Irena. It was bad enough Colby knew her secret. If she admitted the same to Rue, she couldn’t be certain she would understand. Losing her sister’s respect and love would destroy her. It was better if she left things unsaid.

  “I’m going to lie down for a bit.” She walked to the door. Rue sat down and started nursing Dinah.