Page 59 of Fortune Favors the Frivolous
“It is indeed awful,” said Mr. Rothbury grimly. “Lord Windermere is not recognized for his kindness and charity, but I had no idea he represented such a threat.”
“But what can be done, Mr. Rothbury?” Caroline entreated.
His look was pained. “You came here to ask what I knew of Miss Playford’s father and his affairs. I’ve told you what I know: That the late Mr. Playford was a man of integrity, despite certain… indiscretions in his youth. Yes, I have to include that, although, from what I can tell, his marriage to Miss Playford’s mother reformed him.” He raked a hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration. “As for the current situation, surely Miss Playford, if she is soon to marry Mr. Ashworth, will be quite safe from the threat Lord Windermere poses?”
Frustrated, Caroline leaned back. “Her aunt threatens that if Venetia doesnotbreak off her betrothal to Mr. Ashworth, then she will reveal the truth of…”
She trailed off, and Mr. Rothbury sent her a sympathetic look. “I do not believe there is any truth to the woman’s threats. So your friend, I therefore believe, is in no danger.”
Amelia, who had been thoughtful for a while, interjected. “So you believe Mrs. Pike may have… embezzled funds that were set aside for her niece? Including her dowry?”
It did not escape Caroline’s notice that Mr. Rothbury seemed to redden considerably at this. But his tone was calm when he said, “I do believe that to be the case and when Miss Playford is safely married and her husband, Mr. Ashworth, can investigate the matter, I shall do whatever I can to provide evidence to support Miss Playford’s claim.”
Caroline felt the blood fizzing in her veins, and she tried her best to remain unaffected. But not only Venetia’s future hung precariously in the balance, so did Caroline’s. Unable to hold back, she cried out, “I…I don’t believe Venetia wants to marry Mr. Ashworth. I don’t believe he can save her, either. Please, Mr. Rothbury, she needs your help. Can’tyouoffer for her? I know you admire her greatly. I’ve seen you all these weeks watching her—”
“Caroline! Enough!” Shocked, Amelia put her hand on Caroline’s knee. “What can you be thinking? I do apologize, Mr. Rothbury.” She rose. “We have detained you long enough, and you certainly did not expect a morning full of such disclosures and—” she fixed Caroline with a hard stare “—hysteria.”
But Caroline was not to be deflected so easily, and she remained uncontrite. Her entire future rested on Venetia finding someone to wed who was not Henry or Lord Windermere. “Are you not looking for a wife, Mr. Rothbury? I heard it was so.”
The corners of Mr. Rothbury’s mouth tugged slightly, but his smile was rueful. “You heard correctly—”
“Then is Miss Playford not the ideal candidate? She is bright and quite lovely—”
“Caroline!” Amelia cried, trying to draw her away.
“She is all those things, I agree,” said Mr. Rothbury, “but she is also betrothed to another man.”
“But if she weren’t, would you ask her?”
“Caroline!” Amelia gripped her sister-in-law’s arm and tried to drag her towards the door and, although Caroline followed reluctantly, she stared over her shoulder for an answer.
Mr. Rothbury’s expression was surprisingly conflicted.
“I would be honor-bound not to do so,” he said.
“Even if she were unattached?”
“Even if she were unattached,” he confirmed.
Caroline gasped. “Then it’s true, after all, what her aunt said? About her parents not being married when she was born.”
Mr. Rothbury shook his head, his eyes flaring with distress as he replied, “No, indeed, that would not be my reason! I very much doubt anyone would find evidence to bear up Mrs. Pike’s scurrilous allegations surrounding the legitimacy of her niece. So, Venetia’s aunt has no grounds on which to make her break her attachment to Mr. Ashworth. You can rely upon that, Miss Weston.”
“But of course, if you have no feeling for her—”
“That is not true, either, Miss Weston.”
“Then why?”
He shook his head, and there was sadness in his eyes. “That,” he said, “I am honor bound not to tell you.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Caroline arrived atMrs. Pike’s townhouse via the scullery, but the urgency of the situation overrode social niceties. The housemaid who admitted her and her maid sent a worried look up the corridor before pointing her directly to Venetia’s bedchamber.
She found her friend sitting motionless at her dressing table, staring blankly at her reflection. Venetia’s face brightened momentarily upon seeing Caroline, before misery reasserted itself.
“You shouldn’t have come,” Venetia whispered, glancing nervously at the door. “Aunt Pike has forbidden all visitors… especially you. I’m surprised Lottie let you in.”
