Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Mid-November 1824, Quebec, Canada

Dear Septimus,

I have been informed that our father has planned a marriage for you. Please be advised that I have ascertained the personality and suitability of the lady in question. There is no need to be alarmed. Meg and I have everything well in hand. We will meet you at the dock when you arrive.

Yr. brother,

DH

“What the devil?” Hawksworth was as bad as the duke. The difference was that he had everyone’s best interest at heart and wouldn’t demand a marriage take place. “The least he could have done was give me some idea of the lady involved. Knowing the duke, she’s an aging spinster who squints.”

“Did you say something, my lord?” Septimus’s valet asked.

“Nothing. I received a missive from my eldest brother informing me that he would be meeting us at the docks.”

“That will be helpful.” Grimsby went back to folding clothes and putting them in one of the several trunks.

They would depart from Quebec in three days on a private vessel. He’d written to his brother with the date he was leaving and the name of the vessel. He wouldn’t be forced into a marriage. Then again, his brother had said that he had the matter in hand.

Six weeks later.

Late autumn travel was always risky, but they had been blessed with good winds and only a few squalls, thus arriving sooner than expected. It was mid-afternoon when they docked. He scanned the pier. His brother’s coach was there along with another one for the luggage. He left his valet to handle the baggage and made his way through the crowd of people gathering.

Septimus held out his hand and was pulled into a hug. “How did you know we’d be early?”

His brother grinned. “The last mail packet that arrived stated the weather was cooperating for once. They left a day or two before you did. In addition, some other ships arrived ahead of time.”

“You always were up to every rig and row.” He glanced at Grimsby directing the crew with their luggage. “I brought presents. Mostly for the children.”

“They’ll appreciate that. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait to present them. Our children are at Meg’s parents for the next few weeks.” Hawksworth signaled to his footmen who hurried toward the ship to assist Grimsby. “Do you want to go home first or would you rather come to my house.”

Septimus didn’t know if his staff had been informed of his early arrival or if the majority of his servants had returned to Town yet.

“I took the liberty of sending a message to your house informing them of your imminent arrival,” his brother said. “My butler received a panicked note from your butler that he’d call everyone back from their breaks.”

Poor Fuller must be distraught. “I’ll go to your house. I assumed from your letter that Meg will have a great deal to tell me.”

“Ah, yes.” Hawks rolled his eyes but grinned. “There is little she likes better than besting the duke in his games.”

“Lead on. I can’t wait to hear what has occurred.” And about the lady.

To his surprise, when he arrived in the morning room of Hawksworth’s house, another couple was there with.

Meg bussed his cheek. “Welcome home.” She turned to the lady. “Amanda, I would like to present my brother Lord Septimus Trevor. Septimus, this is Lady Maryville.” Meg indicated the gentleman. “And as you might imagine, this is Lord Maryville.”

The lady was in her mid to late-twenties, of moderate height with golden blond curls and very fashionably dressed. The gentleman was clearly older, but no more than eight to ten years. He was as tall as Septimus and dressed appropriately in knee breeches and a jacket.

Lady Maryville curtseyed and held out her hand as Septimus bowed. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, my lord.”

He took the offered fingers and kissed the air above them. “And for me to be presented to you, my lady.”

“Lord Septimus,” Lord Maryville said. “I understand you have been traveling in Canada to assess the situation there.”

That was it. Maryville was one of the leaders of the opposition party, the Whigs. “I have been, and I’m pleased to report that there is no rebellion fomenting there. However, the Province of Quebec insists on speaking the French tongue. I do not believe it is worth the time or effort to attempt to change that affection.”

The other man’s eyes twinkled. “I agree with you. If it makes them happy, leave them to it. We don’t need another war with either France or our colonies. Will that be your recommendation to Sidmouth?”

“It will be.” Shortly before Septimus tendered his resignation. Even if the match with the lady did not come about, he would no longer work for the Tories. But what were the Maryvilles doing here?

Hawksworth pressed a glass of sherry into Septimus’s hand. “Lady Maryville is a close friend of Miss Sutton, the lady the duke wants you to wed.”

It was almost as if his brother could read his mind. It was extremely irritating. “I see. Or I think I do.”

Lady Maryville raised her brows. “I am here to ensure that you are someone I wish to introduce to my friend. Meg said you were, but, naturally, I wished to meet you and decide for myself.”

A test or an inquisition? He should have expected something like this. “Very well. What would you like to know?”

“I have already been informed that you neither gamble nor drink to excess.”

“That is correct.” He would have to be very careful with her ladyship. It was clear that her doll-like appearance hid a sharp mind.

Her blue eyes widened, giving her an innocent look that Septimus didn’t trust. “Do you keep a mistress?”

“Amanda!” her husband blurted. “You can’t ask a gentleman that.”

She raised her chin and blinked. “I just did. Therefore, I am quite able to do so.”

Septimus slanted a look at his brother and Meg. They both seemed as if they would burst out laughing. He turned back to her ladyship. “I have in the past. I do not currently keep one and, under the circumstances, I would have let her go.” Lady Maryville opened her mouth again, and he cut her off before she could speak. “I will not keep one when I am married.”

She gave a decisive nod and turned to her husband who dragged a hand down his face. “That was all I wanted to know. At the moment.”

“Now.” He fixed her with a look. “Am I to understand that you and Miss Sutton are of an age?”

“You are.”

“Why is it that she has never married?”

“She has been caring for her father and did not wish to have a Season.”

Didn’t want to have a Season or couldn’t afford to have one. That was an answer he’d discover later. “And there was no one in her area with whom she was enamored?”

“No. She has been running the estate.”

“What has changed?”

Lady Maryville pressed her lips together briefly. “His health is failing, and it was impressed upon her that she must have an heir. She will inherit both the estate, which is quite large and the barony.”

Now that was interesting. Would his role be simply to provide the means to a child or would it be a real marriage? That, however, was not something he would ask Lady Maryville. If he and Miss Sutton decided to wed, it was a discussion they would have to have. He glanced at his brother and sister-in-law. “What is the plan, and what does the duke want? He usually doesn’t select any one eligible.”

“His first idea was to have Sextus marry her,” Meg informed him. “They would not have suited at all. She is not in a position to leave the country for extended periods, and he needed a wife with much different qualifications that could travel with him.”

That answered one of Septimus’s many questions. He’d heard that Somerset had been in a rare taking when he discovered that despite his efforts, Sextus had married and left for his new post before the duke even knew Sextus was in the country. “I take it that once he was married, the duke went to me as a replacement. Next in line and all that.”

A knock came on the door and the butler entered. “My lady, dinner is served.”

“Thank you, Caudray.” Meg took Hawksworth’s arm and motioned to Septimus to take her other arm. She glanced at Lady Maryville. “We will be informal this evening.”

She nodded.

While they ate, Meg and Lady Maryville explained their plan.

“We decided to invite Miss Sutton to one of our country houses that is not too terribly far from her estate,” Lady Maryville said. “The date we set was the week before Christmas.”

That was almost immediately. “Does she know she is to meet me?”

“She does.” Her ladyship nodded. “We all thought that it would be easier to arrange the introductions in a neutral place.”

Septimus raised a brow. “You sound as if you are planning a meeting for treaty discussions.”

Meg lifted one shoulder in an elegant shrug. “In a way it is. You will have an opportunity to get to know each other without any other responsibilities.”

“The estate is a three-hour drive from Margaret’s property. It is a lovely area. We have a great many walking and riding paths. She is an excellent rider. If it snows, we have sleds,” Lady Maryville added.

It seemed as if they had given the arrangements a great deal of thought. “It sounds idyllic.” Would only his brother and sister, Miss Sutton, and the Maryvilles be there. “Has anyone other than those present, and Miss Sutton been invited.”

“No.” Meg shook her head. “Once the duke discovers you have returned to Town, he will be pushing you to do his will. We want to avoid him finding out where you are.”

That begged one question. “What does he want?”

Hawksworth’s lips thinned. “We believe that there is a piece of land belonging to the estate that borders one of the dukedom’s properties.”

“I cannot imagine Miss Sutton agreeing to break up the estate,” Lady Maryville said.

Considering that the property would go to one of his children, Septimus didn’t like the idea either. “I agree the estate should not be reduced.”

A look of relief passed over her countenance. “That is what Meg said you would say. I am glad of it.”

He glanced at his brother. “How do we thwart the duke?”

An evil grin appeared on Hawksworth’s countenance. “Very carefully. He must not know where you are. What were your plans concerning the Home Office.”

Septimus wondered what his brother was planning. “I have a report to submit then I intend to resign.”

“How long will it take you to write it?”

“It’s done.” Where was he going with this? “Why?”

“I have no doubt that Somerset will be watching the docks, your house, and the Home Office. He’ll know soon enough that your ship will arrive early. However, there was no evidence of any of his tools at the port today. Therefore, I think we can safely assume that he doesn’t know that you have arrived. That, however, will change shortly.” Hawksworth glanced at Lord Maryville. “Can Septimus stay with you until you depart for your estate?”

“Of course.” He glanced at Septimus. “I will also arrange to have his report delivered to the Home Office along with any letter he would write to Sidmouth.”

Lady Maryville’s brows drew together. “It must all happen quickly. Next week is the house party.”

“Yes. We must leave immediately,” Meg said.

Meg had rested her chin in her hand as she listened. She now sat straight. “Right then. We inform Grimsby to either not unpack or to repack and Septimus’s butler that he will be another few weeks.” She glanced at Septimus. “You and your valet will travel from the mews to Maryville House in an unmarked coach. If you require any of your other clothing, Hawksworth’s valet can collect them this evening.” She focused on Lady Maryville. “We will depart before dawn and meet you where?”

“We have a manor house near Stilton.” Lady Maryville smiled mischievously. “We can all spend the night there and continue on from there. I will send a rider to Miss Sutton asking her to meet us there and not to tell anyone that cannot be absolutely trusted with a secret. I will impress upon her that the duke must not find out. For all we know he will attempt to watch her house as well.”

Septimus felt an unexpected surge of excitement. The way this was coming together was fascinating. “Excellent.” That was when it struck Septimus that Lady Maryville never mentioned what Miss Sutton looked like. Did she indeed have a squint? “Very well. Let us execute the scheme.”

They all pushed back from the table. The necessary messages were sent, and the Maryvilles prepared to depart.

Meg and her ladyship bussed cheeks. “We will have him there shortly.”

“I’ll tell my butler to expect him to enter through the garden.” Lady Maryville grinned. “I do not think I have ever had so much fun!”

Her husband heaved a sigh. “I don’t think this will be the last time she decides to matchmake.”

Hawksworth chuckled. “I can guarantee you that in the future it will be unlikely to be as complicated as this.”

“From your lips to God’s ear.” He held out his hand. “If you provide me with paper and pen, I will write the direction.”