Highwayman Lover

  * * * *

  Kenley arrived promptly at eleven o’clock. He was handsomely dressed in an exquisite ensemble; a dark justicoat accentuated by broad panels of vertical embroidery running from the high-throated collar to the flaps of his coat tails. This same pattern of embroidery trimmed the cuffs of his breeches; his waistcoat was made of silk dyed a complementary hue to his jacket, decorated with matching embroidered accents. Every measure of his form was meticulously settled, from his carefully coiffed campaign wig, to his impeccably arranged cravat and stock, to the starched, spotless lengths of his stockings. Simply to see him cutting such a striking and magnificent figure, Charlotte could not breathe; she felt her cheeks burn with brightly stoked color.

  “Miss Engle,” he said in greeting, slipping her hand against his own. He stooped in a deep, graceful bow, kissing her knuckles lightly with his lips. “You look radiant.”

  “Thank you, my lord,” Charlotte said, struggling not to stammer or smile goofily at him as he lifted his gaze, straightening his spine. She dropped a curtsy for him.

  His manners were as pristine as his appearance that morning. Not even Lady Epping’s aloof reception seemed to dissuade him. He bowed for her as if she welcomed him graciously and with opened arms into her home. Where Lady Epping was unmoved, however, Lord Epping was charmed. As they retired to the parlor for tea, Charlotte distinctly heard her father tell Caroline, “A splendid boy, do you not think? Simply a delight!”

  Reilly was noticeably absent from the gathering. He had left before dawn, setting out by horseback for unknown destinations, and despite being perfectly aware of the morning’s appointment, he had not returned. This was yet another burr in Lady Epping’s pannier, but one she wielded to some disparaging advantage when Kenley noticed, and inquired politely.

  “He seemed a bit taken aback to learn of his sister’s engagement,” Lady Epping said. She peered at Kenley like he was a smudge of dirt she had only just discovered on the rug. “Peculiar, really. I should think that among us all, Reilly would be the most in favor, considering he is the one who calls you a friend.”

  “Oh, Mother, Reilly had a poker up his ass before that,” Caroline said. “He is delighted by the news, Lord Theydon, as are we all, and I am certain he will be with us shortly. He often loses track of things… the time, the world about him, his own obligations within it.”

  Pickernell, the butler set about pouring tea and presenting a tray arranged with a variety of freshly baked scones. The food, though appetizing in its aroma, remained untouched, and they all sat in a broad circumference, sipping at their tea as an awkward silence settled upon the parlor. Charlotte glanced at Kenley and he met her gaze briefly, dropping a quick wink to reassure her in her mounting anxiety. Despite this, she did not feel any relief; her mother was sitting quietly again for the moment, but it was the sort of calm exhibited by a patient cat simply awaiting its moment to pounce at a hapless mouse.

  “You have taken up residence at Theydon Hall once more, I have heard,” Lord Epping said to Kenley, breaking the silence so abruptly and brightly that Charlotte jumped, sloshing her tea against the shallow basin of her saucer.

  “Yes, my lord, as of last month,” Kenley replied. “My uncle, the former Lord Woodside, endeavored to keep it in some manner of upkeep, but it was a difficult task given the number of years it stood empty. It needs some attention, but I have been tending to it as I am able. As for furnishings and décor, I am afraid it is rather lacking. It is my understanding such tasks are best left to the more capable eyes of a house’s lady.”

  “Well, then you have good fortune, indeed.

  Charlotte has marvelous tastes,” Caroline said.

  “I am sure they were instilled from her mother,” Kenley observed, looking pointedly about the parlor. “As I dare say, this is the most resplendent home I have ever visited.”

  He happened to glance toward Lady Epping as he made this remark, apparently hoping to endear himself somewhat in her regard. Charlotte wished she had been able to forewarn him of such effort’s ultimate futility; she visibly winced as Lady Epping arched her brow and opened her mouth to speak.

  “It is my understanding, Lord Theydon, that you have been jailed before,” she said.

  The silence that had only just waned collapsed again in sudden, suffocating measure. Caroline and Lord Epping both blinked at Lady Epping, startled by her audacity, and Charlotte leaned forward, frowning as she set her tea on a table.

  “Mother…” she began.

  Kenley smiled, disarming and unoffended. “My lady speaks out of general honest thought, and common concern for her daughter’s reputation and well-being,” he said. “As is only proper and natural. Yes, Lady Epping, I have been jailed in my past, and pilloried as well.

  Momentary lapses in good judgment during my youth saw me in trouble for brawling, drinking, pickpocketing, and burglary. I wish that I could offer more than heartfelt remorse for my ill-considered folly, and my solemn word that I will never know such occasion again. I would not see your daughter shamed, my lady, or you.”

  Lady Epping held his gaze, clearly unimpressed. Before she could snipe back some untoward response, however, Lord Epping harrumphed loudly. “Well, lad, of course not,” he said. “While some noble sons never see the inside of a jail cell, it does not mean the lot of us have never deserved to. I do not know a man alive who has not enjoyed some manner of similar boyhood mischief. Why, as for myself, when I was nineteen, I drew offense at a raucous cad who called me a ninny. Challenged him outright to a proper duel, to which he agreed. I shot him clear through and with first blood drawn. His right arm is yet crippled. You might know him. Lord Childerditch of Brentwood?”

  Caroline glanced at Charlotte, drawing a linen napkin toward her mouth to muffle a quiet snicker of laughter.

  “Truly, my lord?” Kenley asked, raising his brows, dutifully impressed.

  “It was folly, just as you say,” Lord Epping said, flapping his hand, pleased by the younger man’s interest. “He lobbed a shot at me, but providence proved in my favor, I suppose. The pellet struck my breast pocket, where I keep my snuffbox by habit and nature. Dented the bloody hell out of it—nearly crimped it in two. I have it yet as a souvenir, given it saved my life and what-not.”

  “That is a remarkable turn of fortune, truly, my lord,” Kenley said.

  The two men leaned toward one another, both of them smiling, the tension Lady Epping had stoked forgotten in full. Charlotte glanced toward Caroline and found her sister smiling at her as she lifted her teacup for a sip. “I told you, lamb,” she said softly.

  “Returning to the matter of Theydon Hall,” Lady Epping said loudly. “And your forthcoming and unexpected marriage to our daughter…”

  “Yes, my lady,” Kenley said, turning toward her. “Of course, my lady. I beg your pardon for my digression.”

  “Your home is unfurnished?” Lady Epping asked, raising a disdainful brow.

  “For the moment,” Kenley said carefully. “Yes, my lady. I have some personal possessions, a few pieces of furniture that belonged to my father that my uncle was gracious enough to keep for me. Beyond this, as I said, I had hoped my lady might make proper arrangements.”

  “And the house is in disrepair?” Lady Epping said. “You described its state rather kindly, considering how I have heard tell of it—dilapidated and crumbling, mildewed and moldering.”

  “It does need some measure of maintenance, yes, my lady,” Kenley conceded.

  “Yet you would expect my daughter to call this her home?” Lady Epping asked. “You would make her the proper lady of a house that is in such a sorry state?”

  “Mother, stop it,” Charlotte said quietly, drawing Lady Epping’s gaze.

  “I would like to know, darling,” Lady Epping said. “Lord Theydon proclaimed yesterday that the two of you have entered this arrangement with some aforethought and unhasty preparations. I would simply like to discover where the ruinous state of his home fits into your provisions.??
?

  “It is a reasonable concern, and one that I share in full, my lady,” Kenley said to Charlotte, and she blinked at him, stupefied. Nothing her mother threw at him seemed to fluster him in the slightest. She could not comprehend how he managed to maintain such an unoffended exterior, when it was all she could personally do now not to reach out, clap her hands about her mother’s throat, and throttle her.

  “You have my promise that I will see my house restored to comfortable quarters before I would ever lead Charlotte as my wife across the threshold,” Kenley said. “Already, I have begun such endeavors. Many of them, I have seen to through my own undertaking.”

  “Oh, are you handy about the house?” Caroline asked. “What a delight. My husband, Randall, is simply dreadful. The corner of a rug upturns and he stands there, blinking and bewildered, at a complete loss as to how to correct it.”

  “I suppose you will be dependent upon a dowry to help in the rest of these repairs,” Lady Epping said to Kenley.

  “Not at all, my lady,” he replied. “Upon his death, my uncle endowed me with gracious funds. Enough that I should never need or want for anything, and by my word, my lady, neither will my wife. I would see a dowry spent where it can only increase this security for us.”

  Lady Epping looked briefly puzzled. “I do not understand your meaning,” she said.

  “I would invest it, my lady,” Kenley said. “I have heard that the coalmining, steel, and commerce industries are all poised for substantial growth, and that many nobles within London are taking advantage of such blossoming profit potentials. I would do the same.”

  Charlotte blinked at him, and he flashed a fleeting glance, a crooked smile. She nearly laughed aloud, despite her fury with Lady Epping, and drew her hand toward her mouth to cover her sudden, delighted snort.

  “I have a splendid idea,” Caroline announced, leaping headlong into the fray before Lady Epping could challenge this proposal of Kenley’s. “Lord Theydon, why do you not bring Charlotte to Theydon Hall today? My sister is of a capable eye and level head. Her opinion on the state of repairs, and ideas for décor would surely help expedite your own efforts.”

  Lady Epping’s eyes widened in horror, but she could not get a word out of her mouth before Lord Epping beat her to it. “Caroline, darling, that is a lovely thought,” he declared. “Splendid indeed. Yes, lad, if it pleases you, I think that would be quite in order!”

  Kenley blinked at Charlotte. “I… I would be delighted, my lord,” he said. “If… that is, if Charlotte would consent upon such short notice.”

  “She cannot go without proper chaperone,” Lady Epping snapped, clearly meaning to impose herself on the outing.

  “True enough,” Lord Epping said. “Mrs. Renfred served her well in that capacity while in London. I think her company on this occasion would again wholly suffice.”

  Lady Epping sputtered, her eyes widening in outrage.

  “Mrs. Renfred?” Kenley said, clearly puzzled. “Yes, my maid,Una,” Charlotte said, locking gazes with him and grinning broadly. “You remember Una, surely.”

  He returned her smile. “Oh, certainly, yes. Mrs. Renfred. Such a delight. I have missed her acquaintance. It would be splendid to see her again.”

  “Then it is settled,” Lord Epping said, clapping his hands once. He rose to his feet. “Caroline, why do you not help your sister find Mrs. Renfred, and summon her redingote and muff? I should like to borrow our young Lord Theydon before they depart. That snuffbox of mine, of which I have made mention, is upstairs in a highboy drawer, if you would like to see it?”

  Kenley stood, lowering his head in deference to Lord Epping. “My lord, I would be most pleased,” he said.