The Truth about the Earl (Whispers of the Ton #1)

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

N orah’s eyes caught the swift movement of one gentleman’s hand, seeing how it snaked around Miss Patterson’s wrist. Her eyes narrowed as he began to pull her toward the shadows, leaving Miss Patterson with only two choices. One, she could go with him without making any sort of complaint, or two, she could remove his hand from her arm but, in doing so, garner a good deal of attention which might very well lead to a good deal of embarrassment but also a good deal of gossip.

Miss Patterson chose the former.

Keeping her smile fixed in place, Norah nodded and finished her conversation with Lady Geraldine and her mother, excusing herself and then quietly stepping away in the same direction as Miss Patterson had gone.

The shadowy corridor did not give any helpful illumination and Norah was forced to move slowly, wondering where Miss Patterson had been taken. She did not know the lady particularly well, given that she had only been introduced to her once by Lady Maude and they had not even had a single conversation. But that did not mean that she would not go in search of the lady to do what she could to help her.

“Lord Bearsden, please!”

Her breath hitched as she heard the exclamation come from nearby, albeit sounding rather muffled. Turning, she took a few steps toward a closed door and heard the laugh again. Her hand went to her heart, aware of just how hard it was pounding. There was a danger in what she was doing, for she could be discovered and her presence questioned, even though she was a widow and could, for the most part, go where she pleased. Given that rumors about her were still gently swirling some weeks after that article had been written, Norah knew she had to be careful.

A dark laugh caught her attention and Norah’s stomach turned over. Lord Bearsden was clearly doing whatever he pleased and Miss Patterson was unable to stop him. Silently, she wondered firstly, where Lady Maude was, only to realize that the lady would not care a trice if her friend had disappeared for a few moments. The second was to wonder if the lady had a chaperone or parent who would be looking for her. If she was discovered to be missing, then the lady’s reputation could be quite ruined – and all at the hands of a gentleman who took what he pleased without consequence.

The sound of footsteps had Norah drawing back, only to see a footman coming down the hallway, a tray of food in his hand. Hurrying toward him, she came a little away from the door, keeping her voice low.

“I require your assistance.”

He jerked visibly in surprise, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sought to make her out. “Yes, of course.” The tray of food remained in his hand as he bowed his head. “What is it you require?”

“I require you to go in there .” Norah gestured to the small room to her left.

“The parlor?”

Norah nodded. “If that is what it is, then yes.”

He glanced toward it, then nodded. “But of course. And what is it you require from there?”

Hesitating, Norah spread her hands. “I do not require anything from there. However, I do require you to walk into the parlor and make certain all is well.”

The confusion on the footman’s face was more than apparent but Norah did not care. It was just as well that she could not be seen particularly clearly given the lack of candles else the footman might have been able to identify her when he discussed the matter with others, as he was sure to do. It was best for Norah to remain as anonymous as she could, while making certain that Miss Patterson was taken care of.

“But of course.” The footman, the tray of food still in one hand, walked toward the door and, rapping loudly on it, made to turn the handle.

Norah melted away into the shadows, before swiftly turning around and making her way back toward the drawing-room. Entering it, she hurriedly put a smile on her lips and, after only a few moments, found another lady to converse with. Making certain to keep the door to the drawing room in view while she attempted to converse with Lady Gardiner, Norah let out a breath of relief when Miss Patterson suddenly reappeared. The girl was even paler than usual and her eyes were wide with fright, but she seemed otherwise uninjured. She was careful as she came into the room, staying back to the edges of the room and moving with great slowness as though she had no particular urgency about being in anyone’s company. Norah kept her gaze fixed to her as Lady Gardiner continued to remark about the very fine weather they had been enjoying, relieved when Miss Patterson finally reached Lady Maude once more. Lady Maude threw not even the smallest glance toward her friend but Norah was not surprised. The lady did not care for anyone other than herself.

Taking in a deep breath, Norah smiled and began to agree wholeheartedly with Lady Gardiner about the weather being very fine indeed. Lady Maude had ignored Norah entirely ever since that particular rumor had been printed about her in the society papers, but Norah did not have any great trouble over such a thing. Lady Maude was not the sort of person she wished to have as an acquaintance and she certainly did not envy Miss Patterson for being in her company!

Another glance told her that Lord Bearsden had returned to the drawing room, looking a little angry. Norah’s smile spread across her face as a swirl of satisfaction ran through her veins. Lord Bearsden would find his behavior known to all of the ton very soon indeed, and Norah had no doubt he would deserve every single last modicum of anger and upset sent his way.

“And you have been taking greater precautions?”

Norah nodded as she poured the tea. “Yes, indeed. I have become a good deal more careful as to who receives my articles so that there can be no opportunity for interception.”

Lady Adlay nodded. “It seems to have done the trick, for the last four articles have been quite without any falsehoods whatsoever.”

Norah smiled. “Indeed, they have.”

Lady Adlay’s eyes fixed to hers. “Lord Bearsden has returned to his estate.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

Her friend’s lips bunched, pulling to one side. “I am a little surprised at him, I confess.”

Norah’s eyebrows rose. “Surprised?”

“Yes, indeed. He is, on all accounts, a respectable gentleman who has very little by way of flaws and the like. To know that he would be willing to treat Miss Patterson in such a way has quite astonished me.”

“And yet, he did.” Norah shook her head. “Mayhap he did so, knowing that she was the least inclined out of all the young ladies in society, to say a single word about his behavior. She is, after all, a quiet and somewhat timid creature, I think.”

A small sigh pulled from Lady Adlay’s lips. “I suppose that may well be true. I do not know Miss Patterson particularly well but that is certainly the impression that she gives.”

Norah nodded. “I did not like to see her so poorly treated.”

“That is admirable.” Lady Adlay gave her a small smile. “And might I ask if society has continued to treat you with respect?”

Considering this question, Norah tilted her head to one side, her gaze drifting across the room for a moment. “There are certain people in my acquaintance who certainly do not converse with me with the same ease they once did, but on the whole, I have found myself to be quite satisfied.”

“That is good.” Lady Adlay smiled and picked up her teacup. “And might I ask if Lord Yardley has continued with his…..interest?”

Norah laughed and waved a hand. “He does not have any particular interest, I am sure,” she replied, albeit with a slight blush. “I will confess that his eagerness to be in my company has been a great encouragement, however. I am sure that it has encouraged those who might be inclined toward absenting themselves from my company have decided to do otherwise. I have seen some of the ton watching our interactions and, thereafter, coming to converse with me.” A soft smile pulled at her mouth as she thought of Lord Yardley. He had made it quite plain that he did not believe a single word of the rumor for, in the days following what had been printed in society papers about her, he had seemingly been quite determined to be in her company at almost every opportunity. Indeed, it had felt as though he was deliberately seeking her out and Norah had very much appreciated his company.

“I believe he is a good man.”

“Yes, I consider him to be so.” Norah agreed but ignored Lady Adlay’s questioning look. “I have another article to write this afternoon or tomorrow but I wish to be quite certain of the facts before I do so. It has been almost a sennight since my article on Miss Patterson – although, of course, I did not write her name in the article itself – and I must have something new for the society papers come the morrow.”

Lady Adlay leaned forward, her eyes suddenly wide with eager expectation. “And what should this new article say?”

Norah laughed. “That, I cannot tell you, for I am sure that – ” A quiet scratch at the door alerted her to the footman’s presence, ending their conversation for the moment. Calling for them to come in, she accepted the note from the footman’s hand, then bade him to remain for a few moments to see if there was to be an immediate reply.

The wax seal was unbranded and Norah broke it quickly, turning it around as she unfolded it.

A cold sweat broke out across her forehead, her fingers tightening on the letter as her stomach began to swirl. Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes, then looked up at the waiting footman.

“Who brought this note?” Her voice was tight and a little breathless, making Lady Adlay’s eyes widen with alarm. “Who brought it to the house?”

The footman spread his hands. “It was a young boy, my lady,” he replied, suddenly looking a little afraid. “One of the rascals from the street.”

She closed her eyes. “I see.”

“I could go and see if I could find him, my lady?”

Shaking her head, Norah waved her hand, dismissing him. “No, there is no reason to do so. I do not think that you would find him but I appreciate your willingness to be of assistance.” Setting her shoulders, she shook her head. “You may return to your duties.”

“Wait.”

Lady Adlay turned her head, catching the footman’s attention. “You shall inform the butler that Lady Essington requests that should such a child bring a note like this again, that they are to be taken into the house immediately. Lady Essington will need to know where such a note has been brought from.”

Norah nodded, her lips flat together as the footman promised he would go to the butler at once, to inform him of such a thing. Evidently, Lady Adlay could see that this was of great seriousness. Waiting until the door closed, she shook her head to herself, panic trying to grasp a hold of her heart.

“Whatever is the matter, Norah?”

“The note.” Norah handed it to her friend, a little surprised at the tremble in her frame as she did so. “Whatever am I to do?”

Lady Adlay took the note from her but read it aloud. “‘Mrs. Fullerton – for yes, I know that is who you are, - you shall write that Miss Geraldine Pottinger has been seen alone in the company of one Lord Umbridge. If you do not, then there will be consequences that shall not only fall upon your head but on those of your friends.’” Wide-eyed, Lady Adlay looked back at Norah, color draining from her cheeks. “Good heavens!”

“Consequences?” Norah repeated, her eyebrows lifting to her hair. “What could such consequences be?”

“More important is the question how did this person know who you were? That you are Lady Fullerton?”

Norah closed her eyes, fright running through her veins. Lady Gillingham had done this for years and had never once been caught out. She had been doing so for only a few weeks and now, it seemed, had found herself in the midst of great difficulty with the threat of being revealed to the entirety of the ton ! Her heart began to hammer hard against her chest and she took in great gulps of air in an attempt to slow down her racing heart.

“You need not become upset.” Rising, Lady Adlay came to sit near to Norah, reaching across to put a comforting hand on her arm. “I am certain that we will be able to discover who such a person is.”

“I am not certain we shall.” Norah hated that her voice trembled but forced herself to lift her chin. “And now I am uncertain as to what is best to do.” Taking the letter from Lady Adlay, she looked down at it, her eyes a little dull. “I am afraid of what such consequences might be.”

Lady Adlay waved a hand. “I am certain that they mean nothing,” she said, with more confidence than Norah felt. “It is naught but a threat without any real strength behind it. What consequences could they bring?”

“They could inform the ton that I am Mrs. Fullerton.”

Shaking her head, Lady Adlay smiled. “They cannot, for they have no proof! It would simply be the word of one lady or gentleman against yours. They cannot show anything that would evidence you being the lady in question, I am sure.”

This did not bring Norah any confidence. Her mind swirled, her stomach twisting this way and that as her hands clenched tightly into fists. She did not know what was best to do.

“I think you ought to ignore this letter, write your article as you planned, and then send it to the paper without delay.” The firmness in Lady Adlay’s voice helped encourage Norah a little, and she took in a long, shaky breath. “Show this person that you are not to be intimidated. If you do as they wish, then they will simply write you another note and demand that you do the very same again.”

Norah swallowed against the growing tightness in her throat. “But if I do not, then I risk the consequences,” she said quietly, as Lady Adlay nodded. “I am afraid – not for myself, but for you. For others of my acquaintance that I am close to.”

Lady Adlay smiled, a glint of determination in her eyes. “You need have no fear for me,” she stated, firmly. “I am quite determined that you should not give in. To do so would only prompt them to do the very same thing again and what should you do then?”

Norah nodded slowly, taking in a deep breath and trying to steady herself. Lady Adlay was quite correct. If she gave in now, then the person responsible for this note in the first place would expect her to obey again and again. Her stomach cramped, however, as she looked into Lady Adlay’s eyes and began to fear what would occur should she ignore the note entirely.

“What other choice do I have?” she murmured aloud as Lady Adlay rose and moved back to her seat, ready to pick up her teacup again. “I only pray that nothing untoward occurs, else I shall have to bear the weight of such a thing on my conscience.”

“We will be quite safe, I am certain,” Lady Adlay replied. “Now, let us call for some more tea and perhaps a few more honey cakes?” Her gently lifted eyebrow made Norah laugh as she nodded, rising to her feet and going to ring the bell. Perhaps Lady Adlay was correct. Perhaps all would be well and this would be nothing more than a brief, dark moment that would pass without further repercussion. Norah could only hope that it would be so.