“Tell me! Friends share their thoughts,” she said adamantly.
“Aberdeen owns Haddo House and a vast tract of land in Scotland about thirty miles south of Gordon Castle. My stepfather turned off all the tenants and cleared the land of their humble cottages, so he could run thousands of sheep.”
“But who looks after the sheep?”
“No one. They look after themselves. They remain on the craggy mountain slopes year round, foraging for heather and huddling together in winter storms. But even the flocks fare better than the people Aberdeen turned out to starve.”
“No wonder you hate him.”
“No more talk of Aberdeen. I want you to be happy.”
Louisa wanted to make him laugh. “I am happy. I survived my first season without being sold on the marriage market.”
When James slipped his arm around her and hugged her close, she held her breath and waited for him to kiss her. In fact, she had anticipated his kiss from the moment they stepped outside into the moonlight. When he withdrew his arm, she felt the loss acutely.
Masking his amusement, he lifted her from the wall and set her on her feet. “We have to be up early.”
Irish devil!
Three days later the weary travelers arrived at Howick Hall. It was fortunate that the stately home was spacious. Apart from their large family, the Greys always entertained guests during Parliament’s summer recess.
Earl Grey’s sister Hannah and her husband Edward Ellice greeted them. “We’re on our way to Scotland. We are interested in buying an estate, not too far from the Doune.”
“Oh, I do hope you decide to buy. It would be lovely to have you as neighbors,” the Duchess of Bedford declared. “I love to entertain.”
“Isn’t George here?” Georgy asked as they took their seats for the evening meal.
“No, my dear,” Mary Grey replied. “He received his lieutenant’s commission from the naval office and is waiting for his assignment.”
Georgy was visibly crestfallen.
Countess Grey made the introductions. “You know our eldest son, Henry, and his wife, Maria.” Their son was the Member of Parliament for Northumberland. “I’m not sure if you know Henry’s friend, Charles Bennet. Lord Ossulston is the Member of Parliament for North Northumberland.”
Georgy immediately perked up. “Lord Ossulston, I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I believe your father is the Earl of Tankerville.”
“That is correct, my lady.” His admiring glance returned to Louisa.
Georgy poked her sister. “Invite him into the garden,” she whispered.
After dessert, Louisa smiled at Charles Bennet. “Please excuse us. My sister and I need to stretch our legs after sitting in the coach for so many days.”
He jumped up immediately. “Allow me to show you the gardens, Lady Louisa.”
James Hamilton stood. “Why don’t the four of us have a stroll along the terrace?” He offered his arm to Louisa.
She took it so that her sister would be paired with Ossulston. She glanced up at James. Abercorn, you know exactly what I am up to and are taking advantage.
As they strolled along the herbaceous borders of the terrace, James spoke to Charles. “I too am a Tory. It’s refreshing that Prime Minister Grey is so nonpartisan.”
Charles Bennet laughed. “Earl Grey’s son Henry and I have been friends since we were boys. There was never any question that we would follow our father’s footsteps into politics, so he became a Whig and I became a Tory.”
“Politics fascinate me.” Georgy improvised. “Do you ever visit Scotland, Charles?”
“Not as often as I’d like, my lady. Hunting and fishing in Scotland is unsurpassed.”
“Charles, allow me to extend an invitation to visit us at the Doune. It’s near Kinrara on the River Spey. My parents love to entertain guests. My uncle, the Earl of Gordon, always visits us there in August,” Georgy gushed.
Ossulston gave Louisa a speculative glance.
To annoy Abercorn she said, “Oh, we would love to have you, Charles. The salmon fishing in the River Spey is incomparable.”
Georgy gifted her sister with a brilliant smile. “Before it gets too dark, I’d love to visit the church and look at the gargoyles that Maria has carved.” She stepped from the terrace and pulled Lord Ossulston after her.
Abercorn said smoothly, “Enjoy yourselves. We’re going the opposite way. Lady Louisa wants to walk out to the headland to view the North Sea.”
Lu was torn. She knew Georgy was doing her best to be alone with Ossulston, but that meant she’d be alone with Abercorn. She weighed her choices; Georgy won out.
Louisa walked slowly beside James. “Howick is such a beautiful coastal property.”
They stopped a few feet from the edge of the cliff and looked down at the waves washing ashore. The light from the rising moon made the sea glitter like silver.
“It is at this time of year, but in winter the wind and sea must lash Howick relentlessly. The harsh northern climate is unforgiving in its cruelty. Wisely, the Greys spend most of the year in London.”
“Maria is left here year round, while her husband sits in Parliament,” Lu declared. “No wonder she sculpts gargoyles, poor lady.”
James threw back his head and laughed.
“Men can be as relentless and cruel as the weather, especially to their wives.”
“That never seems to deter your sister.”
“Georgy will go to any length to please a man.” Louisa’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, that was cruel of me. I only meant that she knows full well the land is boggy down by the church, yet she will brave it to please Charles Bennet.”
“Lucky man. If only my lady would brave bogs and gargoyles to please me.”
“I am not your lady!”
“You know you are, deny it how you will.”
Louisa raised her chin in defiance and moved away from him to the edge of the cliff.
James had to clench his fists and muster every ounce of his iron will to keep himself from pulling her to safety. With his heart in his throat, he watched her spread her arms and pirouette, taunting him with her devil’s dance.
Louisa flung back her head and laughed.
“I won’t take the bait, Lady Lu. You want me to grab you, and shake you, and kiss you, so you can take perverse pleasure in denying and rejecting me.”
She stopped still. Is that what I want? Is that what I’m doing?
“If you want to be kissed, all you have to do is ask.”
She flew at him and kicked him. “You arrogant Irish sod!”
When the pair returned to the hall, John Russell noticed his daughter’s flushed cheeks. “James, come and have a drink with us. The prime minister wants you to reassure him that you will support the reform bill once it gets to the Lords.”
Two hours later, when the duke emerged from the library, he was approached by Charles Bennet. “At the risk of sounding presumptuous, Your Grace, may I inquire if your daughter, Lady Louisa, is spoken for?”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Ossulston, but I have reason to believe my daughter’s affections are engaged.”
When Georgy retired, Louisa was abed and almost asleep. Georgy turned up the lamp, and her sister knew she wanted to talk.
“I ruined my slippers, but it will be worth it if Ossulston offers for me.”
How can you jump from Teddy Fox to Charles Bennet in the blink of an eye? “Are you sure, Georgy? I thought you were in love with Teddy.”
“Love? What the devil does love have to do with marriage?”
“Georgy, I know you had deep feelings for Teddy. You had your heart set on becoming his wife. It will take a little time to get over him.”
“I don’t have time. Time is my enemy!”
“Georgy, you make too much of your age.”
She bit her lip, for once not even thinking of her age, until Lu brought it up. “I’ll be twenty-two on my next birthday. That’s considered an old maid.” She
finished undressing and got into bed. “I invited Ossulston to the Doune and gave him every encouragement. He’s heir to the Earl of Tankerville. I’d be quite happy to be his countess, in spite of his countrified Northumbrian accent.”
“Then I hope he accepts your invitation.”
“When he comes, I want you to stay away from him. You are adept at stealing my thunder.” She imitated her sister’s voice: “Oh, we would love to have you, Charles. The salmon fishing in the River Spey is incomparable.”
“I’m sorry, Georgy. I was only trying to help.”
“I can manage without help from the Great Russell Beauty!”
It was hours before Louisa could sleep. Her heart ached for her sister.
Every morning when Georgy awoke, the first thing she did was examine her nightgown for a smear of blood. Today was her seventh disappointment. I was certain that riding in the carriage over rutted roads would bring on my menses. She pushed away her nagging apprehension. Today I’ll do something more strenuous.
At breakfast she ate porridge, unable to look at the eggs and gammon ham the others were consuming. Even the smell made her nauseous. When the servants cleared the table she threw Charles Bennet a provocative glance. “I feel like doing something daring today. I shall climb down the cliff path and wade into the sea. Anyone care to join me?”
Cosmo, Henry, and Alex immediately chorused, “I will! I will!”
Georgy’s face fell. I should have known better than to announce my plans in front of the young savages. She glanced hopefully at Charles Bennet, but he didn’t take the bait.
“How very adventurous you are,” Maria Grey declared. “Henry and Charles have promised to put up my latest gargoyles on the north side of the church.”
Georgy felt thwarted. “Careful you don’t get stuck in the bog down there.”
The Duchess of Bedford heard her daughter’s snide remark. “Georgy dear, keep your eye on Alexander on your escapade. You know how uncivilized your brothers can be.”
Abercorn smiled at the duchess. “I’ll join them, Your Grace. I’ll see they come to no harm. How about you, Lady Louisa?”
She glanced at her sister’s scowl. “No . . . Perhaps I’ll walk down to Howick burn.”
“It’s all bog land down there,” her mother pointed out. “Do climb down the cliff with the others, darling. How often do you get a chance to wade in the North Sea?” She threw James Hamilton a speculative glance. “You don’t want to miss all the fun.”
At the top of the cliff, Abercorn insisted on taking the lead. He grinned. “I’ll break your fall if any of you slip.” He knew the Russell boys would be on his heels and decided to give them a run for their money. He flew down the steep cliff and reached the sand a full five minutes before the savage louts, who whooped and screeched with excitement all the way down. He stood at the bottom and waited for the sisters to make their descent.
Georgy came down like a cart horse at full gallop, disregarding all danger. He prayed she wouldn’t fall. Behind her, Louisa made the climb down look easy. She had a natural lithe grace that reminded him of his beautiful Arabian.
Behind him, the wild devils threw off their clothes and ran naked into the sea. James knew he had no choice. He was responsible for their safety. While he waited for Georgy and Louisa to reach the sand, he removed his shirt and shoes. The minute the sisters were safe, he tore across the sandy, pebbled beach and plunged into the sea in his breeches.
James joined in the water games and invented a few of his own, allowing the boys to climb up onto his chest so that he could flip them into the sea. He even balanced them on his broad shoulders so they could dive.
Louisa was amazed at the good- natured patience he showed to her young brothers. She took off her shoes and stockings and waded in up to her calves. Georgy took off up the beach on a strenuous run, while Louisa stood bemused watching the water play.
After an hour, her brothers straggled from the water one by one to scramble shivering into their clothes. The North Sea was cold even in August.
James, still in the water, approached Louisa. “Would you like to come in?”
She shook her head. “I can’t swim.”
“Can’t swim?” he asked incredulously. “Why not? You have a lake at Woburn.”
“You’ve seen what the wild savages are like. Whenever I ventured into the lake, they pulled me under and held me there without compunction. Edward, Charles, and Jack were even worse than Cosmo and Henry.”
Her vulnerability cried out to him. “Sometime I’ll teach you to swim, Lady Lu. I’ll make sure there are no monsters lurking beneath the surface.”
Louisa glanced at his naked chest. “Aren’t you cold?”
“I’m lucky—I don’t seem to notice the cold.” He put on his shirt and shoes.
“Come on, James!” the Russell boys chorused.
“They’re ready to climb back up.”
“They will worship you from now on. They are at an impressionable age.”
He grinned. “Would that you were, Lady Lu.”
“Here comes Georgy. She’s full of disgusting energy today.”
The boys were halfway up the cliff before the sisters began their ascent. This time James brought up the rear in case any of them slipped. Near the top, Georgy stumbled but caught herself before she fell, and James breathed easier.
“Georgy, you have blood on your skirt,” Louisa pointed out.
“Really?” Georgy’s hopes soared. Then she felt her knee begin to sting. She lifted her skirt and saw that she had scraped her knee when she stumbled. He heart plummeted as her hopes were dashed.
Chapter Sixteen
“Iwish you were coming with us to the Doune, James,” Henry Russell said wistfully. “You have become leader of the pack.”
Abercorn smiled ruefully. “So do I, Henry. But my business is here in Edinburgh. You can take over as leader.”
The Russells had stayed overnight at the Gordon townhouse, which was now owned by Georgina’s brother George, Duke of Gordon. The duchess insisted that Abercorn use it while he conducted his business in Edinburgh.
James helped the ladies into their carriage and bade them good-bye. “I’ll see you back in London in October.” Though he spoke to the family in general, Louisa knew his words were meant especially for her.
Once the Russells arrived at the Doune, there were a multitude of activities to occupy them. They fished in the River Spey, hunted in the ancient Caledonia forest, and rode the mountain paths of the Cairngorms. They exchanged visits with George Gordon and his wife, who were at their farmhouse in nearby Kinrara. And in late August, Edward Ellice and his wife, Hannah, bought the estate next to the Doune. Every week Georgina hosted a dance, where fiddlers and pipers played reels and Strathspeys. Not only were their neighbors invited but also their servants and gillies.
Georgy was sorely disappointed that Charles Bennet had not accepted her invitation to visit. Her disappointment turned to silent hopelessness and then she became morose, realizing that in Scotland she was completely cut off from any eligible man she could entice as a prospective husband. She refused to join Louisa on her rides or any of her siblings in their varied activities. Though her sister was aware of her bouts of nausea, Georgy kept it hidden from her mother. She became withdrawn, wan, and deeply depressed. Louisa was beside herself with worry over her sister.
In Edinburgh, James Hamilton interviewed half a dozen attorneys. Finally he retained Angus Murray, the head of a long-established law firm specializing in inheritance law.
“I have competent lawyers in Ireland who look after my Irish estates, but I have need of a Scots attorney for lands in this country that I inherited from my grandfather, the Marquis of Abercorn.”
“It would be a great honor to serve you, Lord Paisley.”
James smiled. “I warrant I’ve chosen the right man.” Lord Paisley was the Scottish title he had inherited. “As you may or may not know, my stepfather, the Earl of Aberdeen, became my guardian. Sin
ce I celebrated my twenty-first birthday in January, I want his guardian-ship declared null and void. Legal documents need to be filed in my name for all my Scottish property.”
“Absolutely, my lord. I shall look up the records and make sure the deeds are registered in your name.”
“I would like an accounting also. I have reason to believe some of the income from my properties has been misappropriated over the years.”
“My investigation will be both thorough and discreet, my lord. Do you know the extent of Aberdeen’s legal holdings in Scotland?”
“He owns Haddo House and a considerable amount of land in Aberdeenshire. Any lands in the vicinity of Paisley are mine, bequeathed by my grandfather.”
“Does Aberdeen own any land in England, my lord?”
“None that I know of. For many years he has leased a London townhouse on South Audley Street. He occupies Bentley Priory in Stanmore, about ten miles from London. I own it, but because my mother prefers living there to the rigors of Haddo House in the Highlands, I have no objections.”
“And do the rents from the Stanmore tenants come to you, or to Aberdeen?”
“I receive no money from Stanmore. If he uses the rents for the upkeep and my mother’s comfort, I have no objection.”
“Nevertheless, it is imperative that you have a detailed accounting. With your permission I will investigate your holdings in both Scotland and England.”
“I hereby grant you that permission, Murray.”
“I shall report to you in a week’s time at your Edinburgh address, Lord Paisley.”
“Georgy hasn’t taken breakfast with us for a week. Where does she go on these early morning rides?” her mother asked Louisa.
“She isn’t out riding. She’s in bed.”
“Whatever is the matter with her?” Georgina arose from the table.
“She’s tired. She is lethargic and has no energy.”
“Louisa, why didn’t you tell me? She must be ill.”
Lu followed her mother upstairs. Georgy made me promise not to tell.
When they entered the bedchamber they were met with the miasma of vomit. Whenever her sister had thrown up, Louisa had discreetly emptied and cleaned the chamber pot.