Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid (Kellington Book One) Read online

  He moved to get into Vi’s old bed on the floor.

  “Sleep with us, Ned,” said a tired Vi.

  Ned met Jane’s eyes and she gave him a simple nod. So he slipped in behind her.

  “Good night, sweeting,” whispered Jane to her daughter, who was already falling asleep.

  As Ned lay behind Jane he knew his life had changed forever. He just needed to figure out exactly how everything was going to work out.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Jane awoke slowly. Faint daylight was streaming into the room, so she figured it was shortly after dawn. Vi had already risen and was now looking out the window at the activity below, a huge smile on her face. The girl was certainly enjoying her adventure.

  Jane was much too comfortable to move. The bed was surprisingly soft, she was warm and she enjoyed the feel of the heavy arm slung over her, with her back against….Jane sat up.

  “Shhh, go back to sleep,” said the hulking presence behind her, as he pulled her back down to fit snugly against him. She tried to resist. She truly did. But he was so strong and she was so warm and comfortable.

  “Mama! Look at the beautiful carriages. Do you think they’re all going to London, too?”

  “A good many of them probably are, poppet,” said Jane, realizing that since Vi was up, sleep was a hopeless cause. She turned to face Ned, only to find him staring at her. “My lord, we should begin our day.”

  “Jane,” he whispered, “you’re lying in my arms in bed. ‘My lord’ seems to be an excessive amount of formality, don’t you think?”

  “I’m not lying in your arms, my lord,” she said quite pointedly while willfully ignoring all evidence to the contrary. “I’m simply lying in the only space available.”

  His eyes glinted with humor as he looked at her.

  “Mama, Ned, let’s be off! I can’t wait to see London.”

  So, reluctantly, they rose. After Jane and Vi changed behind the screen, Ned dressed, while Jane tried not to think of him.

  “Mama! You pulled my hair with the brush.”

  “I’m so sorry, love.”

  “What’s the matter, Jane?” asked Ned from behind the screen. “Having a hard time keeping your mind on the task at hand?”

  The infuriating man.

  After a quick meal to break their fast, they loaded into the carriage and began the final leg of the journey to London.

  * * *

  “What do you mean, Jane Wetherby and that brat of hers went to town?” Madeleine asked the idiot footman who was sweet on the blundering kitchen maid she’d sacked several days earlier.

  The footman was cowering because Madeleine Merriman had never met a messenger of bad news she hadn’t wanted to kill, and today was surely no different.

  “All I know is wot Jen tol’ me, Miss Merriman. Miss Jane and Miss Vi left early yesterday for Lunnon.”

  Madeleine glared at the unhelpful simpleton. She was already vexed that Lord Edward had left Marston Vale before he’d signed the marriage contract. And she didn’t believe that nonsense he’d used as an excuse – he didn’t have vital business in London. No one she knew had vital business anywhere. And now Jane Wetherby had gone to town, as well. Jane Wetherby who had no carriage and no two coins to rub together. It made no sense that they’d be together, but the timing had to be more than an unhappy coincidence.

  “If that idiot who ruined dinner tells you anything else, come to me immediately. Do you hear?”

  “Yes, Miss. Thank you, Miss.”

  “Get out.”

  As the footman made a quick exit, Madeleine considered her options. Jane could easily upset all of her carefully laid plans. But maybe, just maybe, there was a way to turn this to her advantage.

  “Papa!” she yelled. “We must leave for London at once.”

  * * *

  Vi was glued to the window as the carriage made its way through the streets of London. Her mother was almost as fascinated, noted Ned, but seemed like she was filled with dread rather than excitement.

  “I must once again ask you to reconsider your plan, Ned. I’m sure we can find a hotel in a safe part of town that will charge a reasonable rate.”

  “And I have told you in no uncertain terms that Vi’s and your safety are of paramount importance to me. And that can only be assured by your residing under my roof.”

  “It is most improper.”

  With any luck, mused Ned, it would be.

  Lynwood would most certainly not tolerate having Ned’s lover and illegitimate daughter in residence with their sister. But it was now late in the evening and likely everyone at Lynwood House would be out. Ned could smuggle Jane and Vi in, settle them in rooms far from the family wing just for the one night, then arrange for safe housing for them nearby where he could join them. He had a friend whose mistress had recently vacated his pied a terre. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but it would do until Ned could resolve the issue with Jane’s grandfather. Plus, it’d give them some needed privacy, which Ned fully intended to take advantage of.

  The carriage drew to a halt outside Lynwood House.

  “Mama! We’ve come to see the King!”

  “I’m afraid not, puss. It’s only my family’s home,” said Ned.

  “How many people are in your family?” asked an incredulous Vi.

  Even Jane, who’d surely visited the palatial homes in Mayfair during her debut, seemed stunned. But as Ned looked up at his ancestral home through Vi’s eyes, even he had to admit it was grand.

  A footman opened the door and helped Ned alight. As he helped the others, the door to Lynwood House opened and Heskiss appeared.

  “Master Edward, welcome home.” If Heskiss was surprised to see Ned return from the country with a child and woman in tow – a woman who most certainly wasn’t the one he’d gone to get engaged to – he showed no sign. He only made a few discreet motions to set off a flurry of activity among the footmen.

  “Heskiss, this is Miss Jane Wetherby and Miss Violet. Please place them in the east wing. And, as this is Miss Violet’s first trip to the capital, I would ask you to conduct yourself with only the finest manners, as befitting a representative of our fine city.”

  “Very good, sir.”

  Vi looked at the very proper butler. “I believe you would’ve behaved with good manners even if Ned hadn’t asked you to. But thank you for making a special effort for us. Sometimes Mama has to remind me to mind my manners, too.”

  Jane glanced quickly at Ned when Vi mentioned their relationship, but the butler had no reaction, other than making a solemn bow – slightly lower than usual, Ned noticed – and thanking Vi for her kind words of support.

  They followed Heskiss into the house. Ned put an arm around Vi’s shoulders, to escort the girl through the huge entryway. His destination was the servants’ stairs – the best way to avoid any members of his family who might be home. Another few moments and they’d be safe.

  “Ho, brother! What do you mean by sneaking about?”

  Ned looked up with some dread to see Hal standing on the landing above, looking curiously at Jane and Vi. Arthur joined him, then they both walked downstairs. Ned’s luck had most assuredly run out.

  “Miss Jane Wetherby, Miss Violet, may I introduce you to my brothers, Lord Arthur and Lord Henry, better known as Hal.”

  Jane had no sooner made her curtsy, than the voice Ned had been dreading made itself heard coming down the stairs.

  “Welcome home, Edward. To say your arrival is a surprise is a gross understatement,” said the Duke of Lynwood as his gaze passed assessingly over Jane, then rested on Vi.

  There was nothing to do but to carry on. “Lynwood, may I present Miss Jane Wetherby and Miss Violet. Ladies, this is his grace, the Duke of Lynwood.”

  Jane sank into a deep curtsy, wishing she’d convinced him to let them stay at a hotel.

  Lynwood’s bow was respectful, but there was no doubt he’d accurately sized up the situation when he very pointedly said he’d like to see Ned in his
study. Immediately. Hal offered to give Miss Wetherby and Vi a tour of the house and Ned was just about to firmly decline on their behalf, when Elizabeth came running down the stairs.

  Why did none of these people have plans for the evening?

  “Ned! You’ve finally returned!” She gave him a hug, then looked at their guests. “I’m so sorry to interrupt. Please introduce me to your friends.”

  Ned did the honors, with Lynwood sending him black looks and Jane quite desirous of a hole in the earth to open up through which she could disappear. Or through which she could dispatch Ned and his inquisitive family.

  “You’ve got eyes just like mine,” said Vi to Elizabeth.

  And it was at that moment as the entire family looked from Vi’s eyes to Lizzie’s, then much more importantly from Vi’s eyes to Ned’s, that everyone knew for a certainty what Ned had hoped to have remained hidden.

  “Ned,” said Lynwood. “I should like that appointment with you. Now.”

  “If you please, your grace, I would like to accompany him.”

  Lynwood turned to Jane with a look his siblings recognized as one of this most formidable. “It does not please me, Miss Wetherby.”

  “It does not please me, your grace, to be the subject of the silent speculation I sense in this room, nor the more pointed vocal discussion which I suspect will go on in your study. While I do not know if I have been accorded the status of guest in your home, I can only assume that you would never do anything to make one feel ill at ease. And while you may shortly turn me out on my ear, until you do I would ask that you grant this favor.”

  Other than Elizabeth mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like “good show,” the silence which followed was one of the most uncomfortable of Jane’s life. Even Vi was quiet.

  After another moment of quiet, Lynwood responded. “Very well, Miss Wetherby. Please accompany Lord Edward and me into the study.”

  Jane turned to Vi, not sure what to do with her.

  “If it is all the same to you, Miss Wetherby, I should like to give Miss Violet a tour of the kitchens,” said Elizabeth. “From time to time, Cook is known to have biscuits on hand.”

  “Biscuits! May I have one, Mama? Please?”

  “If you are offered. But please pay Lady Elizabeth special attention.”

  With that, Vi put her hand in Lady Elizabeth’s and they went in search of biscuits, accompanied by Arthur and Hal, who said their escort would be vital in both the hunting down and disposal of said treats.

  “Miss Wetherby, shall we?” asked the Duke of Lynwood, as he motioned for her to precede him into his study.

  * * *

  Jane wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen a room quite so elegant yet intimidating in all her days. Her grandfather’s study certainly had its share of male accoutrement: crystal decanters of brandy, ledgers from various holdings prominently displayed so no one would be in doubt of his wealth, an ornate desk coupled with a chair that was slightly raised so all others would feel dwarfed in comparison.

  But Lynwood’s study was filled with books. Shelves lined the walls, floor to ceiling. And those were most likely in addition to a full library elsewhere in the house. In other circumstances, she would’ve loved to have browsed the shelves at her leisure. It was too bad her residence at the house was about to come to such a quick end.

  “Edward,” came Lynwood’s voice from the other side of the desk, “before we get to the matter at hand, may I ask how you left the situation at Barrington? Am I to offer my congratulations on your betrothal?”

  “It might be described as a complicated situation. Shall I pour us brandy, and a ratafia for the lady?”

  “I do not feel beverages are called for at this time,” said Lynwood. “But thank you for the kind offer of my brandy. Why might one call the situation ‘complicated’?”

  “I came to the conclusion, regrettable of course, that Miss Merriman and I would not suit.”

  “Did you relay this decision to Lord Barrington and his daughter?”

  “Not in so many words.”

  “That seems regrettable, indeed.”

  Ned explained the situation at Barrington Manor, with heavy emphasis on the trap that had been laid and his complete innocence.

  “So you are engaged,” stated Lynwood, as he surreptitiously glanced at Jane’s bloodless face.

  “No, although I might not have been as clear on that point as one would wish. I didn’t want to humiliate the girl for pouncing on me, nor did I want to accuse her parents of entrapment although, sadly, both of those actions had occurred. So I hemmed and hawed, hedged just a bit, then when danger to Miss Wetherby and Violet presented itself, I escorted the ladies back to London.”

  “Please know, Edward, that you and I will have more to discuss on this topic – much more, unless I miss my mark completely – but let us move on to Miss Wetherby.”

  Before Ned could try to explain and muck things up further, which Jane felt was all but a certainty, she stepped in.

  “Two ruffians tried to kidnap my daughter. Lord Edward fought them off. He was concerned for our safety and felt it necessary to bring us to London.”

  “I am most sincerely sorry to hear of the threat to your child, madam, and am pleased my brother was of assistance. But, Edward, why did you believe a journey to London was necessary, and, perhaps more to the point, why did you feel the need to take such a personal interest? Vivid green eyes notwithstanding.”

  So the duke knew. Jane’s face flushed bright red.

  “Perhaps you recall my telling you of the woman who saved my life in Belgium.”

  “Yes, the Miss Johnston you so assiduously tried to find.” Realization dawning, Lynwood turned to Jane with a long, appraising look. “Miss Johnston, I presume.”

  Jane met his eyes and nodded.

  Ned continued. “As you know, I tried for quite some time to find the lady. Imagine my surprise when I found her and Vi in Marston Vale.”

  “I can imagine it was rather a surprise. Was Lord Barrington aware of the development?”

  “I don’t believe so, although he and his family are acquainted with Miss Wetherby.”

  Jane found her voice. “Miss Merriman and I grew up together. We’d begun to grow apart as teens, and when I came back from Belgium…well, her family turned away. Which is what I expected.”

  “How have you been living these past few years, if I might ask?” Lynwood looked at Jane with curiosity and something else in his eyes.

  “Vi and I, along with a few servants, live in the house my parents left to me. I have a small stipend and I support myself,” she lifted her chin and looked the duke right in the eye, “by working as the de facto surgeon to those in the area who cannot afford to pay for the other surgeon’s services.”

  “The real surgeon, you mean.”

  “The other surgeon,” said Jane with steel in her voice. “My patients have the same recovery rate, if not better, than the so-called real surgeon’s.”

  “She’s a positive whiz with a bottle of whiskey and spirits of disease.”

  “Edward, do be quiet. Pray, continue, Miss Wetherby. Why did you not contact my brother when it became apparent you were with child? She is Ned’s daughter, is she not?”

  Jane nodded, her courage failing her a bit. “Yes, your grace. She is his daughter. I was afraid he’d tell me to give her up for adoption, which is what my grandfather was trying to persuade me to do. I wanted to keep my child, no matter the personal cost.”

  The duke thought about that for a moment, then nodded. “Who is your grandfather?’

  “How do I know you won’t work with him to take Vi away from me?

  “You don’t.”

  “Liam, you’d never do that, would you?” asked Ned.

  “I would do just about anything to protect this family. Do I have anything to fear from you, madam? Because if I do, know that I will strike back and win.”

  “Are you threatening me, your grace?”

  “Only if y
ou are threatening us.”

  “Your grace, I am only concerned with keeping my daughter safe and loved. I will not allow her to be taken.”

  There was a moment of silence as the duke and Jane assessed each other.

  “My grandfather is Charles Edmonds.”

  “The Earl of Huntington,” said Lynwood. “I hope you will take no offense, Miss Wetherby, if I say Huntington is certainly ruthless enough to have orchestrated the attempted kidnapping.”

  “Do you know him, Liam?” asked Ned.

  “Not well. But I know him enough to have an idea of what he’s capable of.”

  “Will you help us?”

  “I’ll do what I can to help Miss Wetherby and her daughter, but I’m still unsure of your connection to this, Ned.”

  “She’s my daughter!” said Ned, finally raising his voice to his brother. “That’s my connection to this.”

  “Ned, kindly keep your voice down. The servants don’t need to know every last detail; they can be kept busy enough with just the ones that have already exploded in their midst. Pour us those drinks now. Miss Wetherby, would you like a brandy or the horrific ratafia that even our sister won’t touch?”

  “A brandy, please. Lord Edward, while I cannot thank you enough for what you’ve done for us, his grace is correct. This doesn’t concern you.” Ignoring the murderous look he gave her from the bar, she quickly continued. “As his grace so astutely pointed out, you may be engaged to Miss Merriman. And Vi and I have coped quite well together in the past.”

  Ned’s patience was at an end. “Coped quite well! She was almost kidnapped and your grandfather has been cutting off your stipend. The girl runs around without shoes, your larder was insufficiently stocked and I had to fix your roof.”

  “As I told you before, Vi has shoes, she just doesn’t like to wear them!”

  Lynwood watched the exchange with interest. “Now, Miss Wetherby, it is you I must ask to keep your voice down, although I am most curious about this business regarding my brother and a roof. Ned, where are Miss Wetherby and Miss Violet staying while in London?”

  “Well,” Ned said, having the good grace to look at least a little sheepish, “my plan was to have them stay here quietly tonight, then I was going to take them to the house of a friend of mine. An…acquaintance of his lives there and she is currently on the continent.”