Her brother seemed to relax under Edward’s
guidance and gave up the struggle as Miles helped him along. Star
turned once as she followed her brother and saw that Jules had
taken Georgie’s hand and pulled her away from the scene. He smiled
at the crowd and made a jest with some of the ones closest to the
scene.
Star breathed a sigh of relief as she heard
Jules tell them that Vern was suffering from the quinsy and that
the doctor had prescribed laudanum. He suggested to the crowd that
the poor young lord had suffered a bad reaction. This started
everyone talking about their various experiences with both the
quinsy and laudanum.
Star breathed a thankful sigh of relief as
Edward with his arm tightly around her shoulders led her away.
They arrived in the study, where Miles saw
Vern seated before closing the door. Vern stared up at Sir Edward
and mumbled, “Thank you…not thinking clearly…laudanum…but had to
come.”
“Of course you did,” Sir Edward said grimly
and he and Miles exchanged a glance of concern.
Star was aware that a considerable stir had
been left at their backs and once again without realizing it she
looked at Sir Edward. He touched her cheek and said, “You can rest
easy. Jules will have everyone talking in circles before long. Do
not concern yourself. He is a master at socializing and will have
everyone laughing about nothing in particular before very long.” He
took her gloved hand to his lips and whispered encouragingly, “Stay
close to me and I promise, all will be well.”
Though still anxious, she felt somehow safe.
She felt as though Sir Edward would set everything right. She
smiled gratefully at him for he was quite right. She had seen Jules
in action and she was certain he would do just as Edward said.
“Now my lord, would you tell us what the
problem is? What brought you here like this?” Sir Edward asked
gently.
“Indeed, tell us at once, Vern,” Star
encouraged.
“I…I had no choice,” Vern said.
“Indeed, my young lord, I think it is
time to come clean. Why did you have no choice?” Sir Edward said
kindly as he pulled up a chair for Star and saw her seated. He
stood with his hands folded into one another behind his back. Even
in that moment of stress and uncertainty, Star watched him, admired
him and felt all would be well with him at the helm. “You must have
realized that stampeding into a ball willy-nilly would cause undue
attention to yourself.”
Vern stared at Sir Edward through eyes that
would not focus. He ran his hands over his tussled hair “You don’t
understand…how could you?”
“Ah, but I think that I do and I mean to help
you, if you allow.”
“Thank you. I am a beast and a terrible
burden to my sister. I am certain I have plunged us into something
I shan’t recover. If only you could find a way to spare her the
shame of it all.”
Star saw that he was about to cry and reached
out and touched his hands, “Nonsense. It is no such thing. All you
ever wanted to do was repair the damage our father brought down on
Berkley. We shall do it. See if we don’t.”
“No, Star…you don’t know what has happened.
By morning, I shall be ruined,” Vern cried out loud. “And
you…because of me.”
“Rest easy, no one shall ruin your sister,”
Sir Edward interjected. “Now, tell me why you think you have ruined
yourself and perhaps we shall find a way to repair it.” Sir
Edward’s voice though kind was commanding.
“Ran off my legs…”
“Well, as to that, there isn’t a man worth
his salt that hasn’t found himself doing that at one time or other
in his career,” Edward said on a frown, noting that Miles had a
fist to his mouth and was looking grim.
“You don’t understand,” Vern groaned. “I am
involved with the worst kind…of scoundrels.” He glanced at his
sister, “You know, sis, that matter you handled for me
recently?”
“Yes, Vern?” she answered on a frown.
Sir Edward glanced her way, his brows drawn
together. She saw it and blanched. What would he think of her if he
knew?
“Just spit it out and be done with it, young
lord,” Edward demanded.
“Everything has gone awry,” Vern said
dolefully as he put a hand to his forehead. “Please believe me. I
did not realize things would grow out of proportion as they have
done. Now, I have reason to believe there will be trouble
here…tonight
.”
Star’s hand went to her mouth and she leaned
further forward, taking her brother’s hand to her cheek. “Hush
love, it can’t be
that
bad…”
“But it is! That was precisely what I was
threatened with tonight,” he said, his voice filled with
misery.
“But why?” Star asked aware of Sir Edward’s
scrutiny. She knew he was beginning to put matters in place. She
saw it come together in his eyes.
Vern stared at her, unable to speak. Miles
paced at some distance. She was certain Vern had confided in him
from his mannerisms.
Sir Edward sat finally beside Vern on the
other winged chair and said, “Will you two trust me?” He glanced at
Star, “I think—
I am certain
, I can help.”
Star turned away from studying her brother’s
face and stared up at Sir Edward once more. Instinct pushed her to
answer him in the affirmative. She said instead, “It is not a
matter of trust, forgive me, Sir Edward, it is a family
matter.”
“
Is it?”
he answered doubtfully.
“Well, shall we then get this family member home?”
“Oh, yes, please,” she said thankfully.
“No, no…they will come here later tonight and
they will…”
“Enough. No one will make it past the doors
if they dare to arrive at Sefton without invitation. Rest easy on
that,” Sir Edward returned on a grave note. He moved off and pulled
the bellrope.
Star could feel his eyes on her as she argued
with her brother in a hushed whisper. A servant arrived and Sir
Edward requested that Jules’ carriage be brought around and that
Vern’s horse be tethered to the boot. He turned to Star and under
his thoughtful gaze she felt the heat rush to her cheeks. Until
that moment, watching him take control in such a perfect way, she
hadn’t realized how very kind and thoughtful this man could be.
He went to her and as she was still holding
her brother’s hand. He took her other hand and gently pulled her up
from her chair and away from her brother.
“Come, my dear…” he said and pulled her
close. “We will see him through this, whether you trust me or
no.”
She wanted to tell him that she did trust
him. At that moment, she knew she would trust him with her life,
but she couldn’t tell him what Vern’s secret was. That was for Vern
to do. She did however, say “Sir Edward…I am concerned. My brother
has reason—
good reason
to believe…well, what I am saying
is…” She sighed heavily, “Do you think the Seftons are amply
protected against a possible…er…
raid
of some sort?”
He considered her question then glanced at
Miles who was frowning darkly over the question, but saying nothing
and appeared to come to his own conclusion. She bit her lip as she
wondered what he must be thinking.
“Why do you ask, my dear? Please tell me that
much,” he answered softly and she could see something heartfelt in
his eyes. He wanted her to tell him everything, she wanted to tell
him everything… but how could she?
Breathlessly Star attempted to respond with
something that might work and finally came up with, “I am not
certain, but Vern seems to think everyone at the ball is in
danger…I cannot think why. I am at quite a loss to explain this.”
It was not a complete falsehood, she told herself. After all, she
didn’t have all the facts as yet.
“Now why would we be in danger at Sefton
Ball? And why would Vern suddenly in his state of health feel he
had to ride over and warn us in such a bizarre manner?” Sir Edward
asked reasonably.
She could see he would not let go easily,
“Honestly, I do not know what prompted him to do so.” That was the
truth. She knew it must have something to do with Farley, but as
yet, had not any information from her brother. “He must have taken
too much laudanum and with the quinsy and all…perhaps he is
delirious.” She eyed Sir Edward worriedly, “But oh sir, just to be
on the safe side, do you think the Seftons and their servants
should arm themselves?” She could see her brother’s face as she
spoke and she could see this was the one thing he wanted above all
else.
Sir Edward’s penetrating gaze scanned her
face and without creating a fuss, he offered his hand to Vern and
helped him up from the sofa, saying quietly and firmly, “I think it
is time for you to return home and sleep, my lord Berkley. We will
talk further tomorrow.”
“Yes, but…” Vern tried to object as Sir
Edward assisted him to his feet.
“Miles,” Sir Edward said. “Will you help your
friend to the carriage?”
“Indeed I will,” Miles said coming forward to
steady Vern as he walked him out of the room.
Vern turned to Sir Edward, “I know I can
depend on you.”
“You can,” Sir Edward answered and turned to
Star, his eyes full of warmth as she surveyed his face. Softly he
addressed her, “Do not worry, my sweet. I will immediately attend
to the matter which occupies your mind.”
She suspected he was about to inform the
Seftons’ to arm their staff and be ready. She could never thank him
enough for what he had done this night, but gratitude was nothing
compared to what she realized she felt for this wonderful man, and
that was how she saw him. She had witnessed some of his faults. She
had realized early on that he must have done any number of things
she might not like, but now, when it counted, he had been there for
her and her brother, helping without question.
* * *
Georgie watched Jules manage the crowd. She
felt an overwhelming admiration for him. He knew just what he was
doing as he backslapped, jested over absurdities and before long
had the orchestra set up a cotillion as he sent people back onto
the dance floor.
As the guests began dancing and enjoying
themselves once more, he pulled her along and away from the curious
stragglers who might still try and talk to her about Lord Berkley’s
very odd behavior.
Georgie stopped him and said with some
concern, “I should go to Vern…and Star.”
“Should you? I don’t see that,” he answered
firmly and with a frown.
“Indeed, they may need me,” she returned
frowning back at him.
“Again, I don’t see that. Edward has the
problem well in hand. There is no one quite like Edward for
handling a crisis. He always knows what needs to be done and does
it. No doubt the young lord is foxed on drink and laudanum, but
questions will be turned on
you…q
uestions you shan’t be able
to answer. Everyone knows how close you are to the Berkleys.” He
shook his head, “Best stay with me, my dear.”
“Yes, but Jules,
he is not
foxed. He
is not the sort to get foxed. When we left him, he had promised of
course to take the laudanum the doctor had left him and go to
sleep. He would not drink on top of that. Something has occurred to
put him out. You may depend upon it!”
Jules had by this time, slipped outdoors with
Georgie on his arm. He walked her well away from the house, though
he stayed to the flagstone path. After he was comfortable that they
would not be overheard he turned to her and said, a frown drawing
his brows together. “
You
of course would know just what Vern
might do or feel, considering how close you are to him.”
In spite of herself, Georgie blushed. Why
should she blush? She couldn’t fathom a reason. She wasn’t the sort
to blush, yet this man made her feel and do and say things that
were not logical or in keeping with her nature.
She put up her chin hoping he could not see
her cheeks in the dim light, which judging from the heat she felt
consuming her, must be bright red. “Well, to answer you, we have
been friends forever.”
His brow cleared and said, “Friends…only
friends?”
“Of course,” Georgie said and frowned.
“Good, very well then, I cannot fathom what
brought him out in the middle of the night like this if not to
protect you and his sister from some unknown threat.” He shrugged,
“We must safely assume he came for what he believed a very good
reason. But what?”
Georgie frowned for she didn’t have the
answer but at that moment. She heard the carriage wheels on the
gravel drive pulling up to the front doors, “Look…is that not Vern?
They are putting him in
your carriage…”
“Well done,” Jules said. “Edward is the best
of good fellows. Knows how to handle a situation and avoid
scandal.” He looked at Georgie and said, “Come on.”
Georgie had no idea what Jules planned as he
pulled her along and circumvented the house. “What are you doing?”
she almost giggled but choked it back.
“Must get back into the house…look for
another way,” he answered and gave her chin a flick with his
finger. “You are a jolly good sport, Georgie.”
“Thank you, but why must we find another way
into the house?”
“Don’t want to draw attention and we need a
private word with Star and Edward,” he answered her
conspiratorially.
He came upon a window and said portentously,
“
Ah, this
must be the study they went into. There is a
light.” He looked at Georgie and asked, “If I knock on the window,
do you think, well, would you mind, what I mean is… will you be
able to climb through if I hoist you up? ‘Tis a long window and you
shan’t need much hoisting.”
She laughed, “What? Now I must climb through
windows, in my gown?” she sighed, “I suppose ‘tis what a good sport
does! So, no, I don’t mind, but I shall have to hike up my hem.”
She eyed him flirtatiously, “Do you mind?”
He laughed and there was a light in his eyes
that made the blood rush to her head as he said, “Shall I say I
will be a gentleman and look the other way?”