Part 12 (2/2)

”That's cruel,” snapped Mary.

”Even though her own silliness brought this on,” agreed James. He glared at the laughers, silencing them. It was the first time John's reputation had worked in his favor.

Mary released his arm, backing away a step. He bit back a sigh, feeling how she distanced herself, though not as far as usual. One small step of progress. There was no need to rush, he decided, clasping his hands behind his back so they would remain under his control. The day was already a success.

”May I get you some refreshments?” he asked, turning from the lake. Most of the company followed.

A glance over his shoulder spotted servants wrapping Lucy in a rug. Her hysteria revived as they carried her to the house. But no one cared.

The rest of the afternoon pa.s.sed peacefully enough. Lucy never did return. The surprise was a play performed by a traveling theater company against the backdrop of the ruins. But while it was quite charming, its drama paled beside Lucy's theatrics. Lady Granger had gotten her wish. Her picnic was the most memorable of the summer.

”I had no idea Frederick was so irresponsible,” said Justin, joining Mary in the drawing room that evening.

”What do you mean?”

”Why did you let me leave the country instead of asking me to help with the estate. I should have known better-and would have if you had kept me informed.”

”Sit down, Justin.” She waited until he reluctantly dropped into a chair. ”First of all, leaving the country was your decision. We did not even know of it until after you sailed.”

”What? I only transferred because Frederick pointed out that I could advance faster in a fighting regiment. We discussed it for months before making a decision.”

So Frederick had wanted Justin out of the country. Had he hoped to hide his wealth, or was he trying to conceal his dishonorable activities? Justin's first regiment had been stationed near London. ”He did not inform us. But to address your other complaint, his faults were not your concern. Nor was the estate or the barony. Even if you had known exactly how things stood, he would not have welcomed interference in his affairs. Now suppose you explain what brought on this surge of guilt.”

”I heard stories today,” he admitted. ”Frederick and I never got on, which was one of the reasons I bought colors. He wasn't a particularly nice person, but I was shocked to discover that he all but abandoned you. Carousing in town was bad enough, but he rarely stayed at Northfield even when he was in the area.”

Their previous talk had dealt mostly with the present conditions and future needs of the estate, she realized. She had said little that would reflect badly on his brother. ”It doesn't matter,” she insisted.

”But it does. How could he have ignored his responsibilities?”

”He did not want them.”

”But why would he waste his life when he could have enjoyed Northfield?”

”What did you hear that upset you so badly?” she asked. When he hesitated, she continued. ”I doubt there is anything you can tell me about Frederick that I do not already know.”

”He and John were friends.”

She nodded.

”Ralph Adams claims that the pair often cheated at cards. There is hardly a lad in the area who did not lose to them, sometimes large amounts. And Mitch.e.l.l swears they robbed men who had consumed too much wine.”

”It fits his character.” That explained how Frederick had supported himself in London. But fleecing people was dangerous. Had someone retaliated?

Justin repeated more gossip, but she already knew the rest. The only surprise was how much the neighbors knew about her private life and Frederick's-which confirmed her decision not to question the servants. They would never remain quiet about it.

Once Justin had expended his indignation, she elicited his promise to question Isaac about Frederick's death.

”Don't let him manipulate you,” she warned. ”I turned him down this afternoon, and despite his conviction otherwise, I have no intention of changing my mind.”

”Determined, is he?”

”Pigheaded.”

”I knew an officer like that. He refused to believe any intelligence that cast doubts on his battle plans. It killed him in the end. Too bad he took so many good lads with him.”

She slept better that night than she had in weeks. Justin was nothing like his brother.

James poured wine before joining Edwin by the fire. Harry had decided to make an early night of it.

They sat in companionable silence for several minutes while he considered all the ways John could have acquired several barrels of fine French brandy. Edwin finally spoke.

”Caroline claims John seduced innocents. Lady Northrup banned him from Northfield.”

”So I've heard. Does Caroline know anyone John seduced?”

He shook his head.

”Doesn't it bother you that you cannot understand so much of what she says?” James asked, changing directions. He had not bared John's worst crimes to his friends, not wanting to reveal the blackest marks on the family name.

”When she is calm, she speaks quite clearly. Only excitement bothers her, or fear. You probably upset her, but she will grow out of this trouble. It would be gone already if her brother hadn't provoked her so often.”

Was Edwin's interest becoming serious? James frowned. Caroline Northrup was a beautiful girl, but she would never manage in society. What man wanted a wife who could barely function in company?

Yet he had to admit that Edwin did not enjoy London. He was happiest when grubbing about his estate, digging for antiquities. Before meeting Caroline, he had talked of visiting Shrewsbury, which occupied the site of the Roman town of Viroconium.

”To prove that her suspicions of you were unwarranted, I told her about that orphanage you set up in Naples,” Edwin continued, swirling brandy so the candlelight sparkled through it.

”Where did you hear about that?” He deliberately unclenched his fists. He hadn't thought anyone knew about the place, and was vaguely embarra.s.sed to be discussing it.

”Meeker mentioned it,” he said, naming his valet. ”Your valet recounted the tale at dinner one night to prove that the staff was wrong when they swore you were uncaring.”

He turned the subject by asking Edwin about the Roman lighthouse near Dover.

It was too late to recall the tale, though revealing it served little purpose. No one could verify its truth. And it wasn't quite as altruistic as Edwin thought.

His stay in Naples had been delightful, in part because of his odd friends.h.i.+p with the working-cla.s.s Portinis. Luigi Portini had been a man of many trades, one of which was a guide. His fascinating tales had kept James in the area longer than he had originally intended. Luigi had also been fearlessly loyal. When a band of brigands had attacked them, Luigi had tried to protect his employer, sustaining crippling injuries.

James had been appalled and unable to suppress his guilt. After all, if he had not asked to visit Mount Vesuvius, they would not have encountered the brigands. So he had hired Luigi's wife Maria as his cook and housekeeper, hoping that time would improve Luigi's condition. He had also hired caretakers for Luigi and their eight children. But Luigi never recovered. When Maria died shortly before he left Naples, he had set up a trust to provide for the Portini family.

Luigi had pa.s.sed on six years later. The four older children were married or established in business, but he continued to provide for the rest and for two young cousins Luigi had taken under his wing.

Hardly an orphanage.

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