Page 44 of The Truth about the Earl
“I am very anxious indeed,” came the honest reply, “but given you are here with me, I am comforted.”
He smiled at her. “There is nothing to fear. We are certain Lady Maude is the one who has done such things. There is no other that it could be! In confronting her, we must hope she will see no way forward and, thus, you shall be freed of her threats for good.”
Lady Essington nodded, taking in a deep breath as she did so. “You are quite correct. It is only that I am….afraid she will not listen. That her demands will increase all the more.”
“Then we shall decide what to do thereafter, should it come to that,” came the reply. “Do not forget we also have some power. The boy you now employ in your house, he could easily identify Lady Maude, should we ask it of him. That information couldbe given either to her father or even written about in the paper itself! There are ways we can take control.”
Lady Essington let out a long, slow breath but she nodded and, looking up at him again, tried to smile.
“It will not be long until we have the opportunity to speak to Lady Maude alone. Hold onto your courage for a little longer, my dear lady.”
He felt a tremor run through her arm into his but her smile told him of her determination. This evening would bring an end to the matter, once and for all.
“She is goneinto one of the smaller rooms with Miss Patterson.”
James nodded as Lady Adlay came alongside Lady Essington. “Then we are quite prepared?”
“Indeed, we are. Lord Huntsford is already engaging them in conversation so that they will linger there.” She smiled briefly. “It is good this evening assembly has so many rooms open to their guests. I am certain we shall be able to have a somewhat quiet conversation, without being overheard by too many other guests.”
A small, grim smile pulled at James’ lips. “I am certain Lady Maude will not wish to have any of our conversation overheard,” he stated, firmly. “Let us go there directly.” He saw rather than heard Lady Essington take in a deep breath, her chin lifting just a little and her green eyes darkening.
“Yes, indeed.” Her eyes caught his. “I am ready.”
Quickly, they made their way from the main assembly room, following Lady Adlay as she led them to where Lady Maude was. Stepping into the room, James turned and hastily shut the door behind them, effectively shutting them into the room with LadyMaude and Miss Patterson. Much to his relief, there were no other guests present and he did not want that to change.
“Good gracious, Lord Yardley!” Lady Maude turned to him, her eyes wide with astonishment. “Is there some reason you wish to keep us all in this room? Surely you cannot expect to keep me from my mother who will, no doubt, soon be looking for me.” She tilted her head, a somewhat coy smile playing about her mouth. “Unless it is that you seek for any conversation between us not to be interrupted for some reason?”
“I have an excellent reason for such a request,” James replied, just as Lady Essington came to stand beside him. “That is the reason both myself, Lady Essington, Lord Huntsford, and Lady Adlay are all present in this room with you at this moment.”
He watched as the smile began to fade from Lady Maude’s face, her eyes beginning to move around the room, focusing in turn on each of the faces. “What is the meaning of this?”
Lady Essington took a step closer to the lady, her eyes a little narrowed. “You need not pretend any longer, Lady Maude. The truth is out.”
Lady Maude threw up her hands, color fading from her cheeks. “I know not what you are speaking of.” Casting a glance toward Miss Patterson as though she might understand, Lady Maude shook her head. Miss Patterson kept her head bowed low, her hands clasped in front of her and she did not say a single word. Lady Maude let out another huff of breath. “This is ridiculous. Speak plainly or do not speak at all!”
James looked to Lady Essington, lifting one eyebrow gently. It seemed she would have to be blunt if she were to have any answers from Lady Maude.
“The articles in the society papers,” Lady Essington began, speaking without a flicker of hesitation in her voice. “The articlesdemeaning first myself and, thereafter, Lord Yardley. Those were by your hand.”
Lady Maude’s eyes flared wide and her mouth dropped open.
She is stunned we have been able to find her out.A small sense of satisfaction curled in his chest and he moved closer to Lady Essington, boldly slipping one hand about her waist so Lady Maude could be in no doubt as to how he felt about her.
“I do not know how you managed to engineer Lady Adlay’s accident, but I will not have Lord Yardley, Lady Adlay, or any of my other acquaintances continually threatened.” Lady Essington lifted her chin. “Your last letter was meant to terrify me but in that regard, you have failed. I have told Lord Yardley everything. Lord Huntsford and Lady Adlay are also aware. I shall not write anything again about Lord Yardley, not when they are naught but falsehoods.”
Lady Maude folded her arms across her chest, her eyes flashing. “Lady Essington, I have no knowledge of what it is you speak of.” Her chin lifted. “Whatever it is, I can assure you I have never threatened Lord Yardley.”
The confidence James had felt only moments ago began to fade at Lady Maude’s stringent denial. He had expected her to be angry, certainly and yes, he had thought she might deny the matter entirely but the confidence with which she spoke as well as the firmness in her eyes made him wonder if they were, in fact, mistaken.
Then who else could it be?
“You mean to say you were not the one to write that additional piece about Lady Adlay?” Lord Huntsford planted both hands on his hips whilst Lady Adlay’s eyes remained thoughtful. “You did not, thereafter, write to Lady Essington demanding she write untruths about Lord Yardley?”
“Write them where?” Lady Maude’s gaze fixed itself on Lady Essington, only for her eyes to flare wide as she suddenlyrealized the truth. “You mean to say thatyouare Mrs. Fullerton?”
Lady Essington closed her eyes. “It cannot be Lady Maude,” she murmured, opening her eyes to glance first at Lady Adlay and then up at him. “There is truthfulness in her astonishment.”
“I cannot help but agree.” James pursed his lips, just as Lady Maude clapped her hands in evident happiness.
