Page 67 of The Dreaming Beauty
“Lady Tansy,” Marcus corrected, “is indeed your cousin, though a distant one. What I would like to know is why such information was kept from not just her but from us. Mrs. Wood?”
Aster’s gaze fell to her lap. “We made a promise to her mother a long time ago.”
“Her mother who did not actually die at the hand of a highwayman the same time as her husband?” He met Tansy’s red-rimmed eyes. “How is that possible?”
“She did die,” Iris said. “Just not when everyone thought she did.” Her eyes went to Simon, or was it the closed door? Her voice lowered. “It was no highwayman who killed Richard. It was his successor. Harry Beauford, Richard’s fifth cousin, was never meant to be the ninth duke of Westmorland. Rosalind would have had a son after Tansy, I’m sure of it. But to keep herself and Tansy, her unborn child, safe, she had to flee for their lives.”
“How were two bodies buried, then?” He had discovered no answers that morning, but perhaps they need not search any further than this room for them.
“One was Richard’s body, and the other was Rosie’s maid,” Aster said, her voice wavering. “Sadly, the maid was killed in the shooting. Rosie had seen Beauford’s face during the attack and knew if he discovered her still alive, he would not stop until she and the child were killed. Rosie did what she had to do; she exchanged clothes with her maid and fled. Months later, when Tansy was born a girl, there was no reason for her to return. Legally, she and her daughter had some inheritance. But even if she stepped forward, Beauford would still inherit the dukedom and the estates, and it would be Rosie’s word against his, not to mention he would be tried by the peers of the realm, and he had influential friends who would protect him. Richard was our greatest connection, and he was gone. The best we could do was keep Tansy safe.”
“And when Beauford died? Why did you not bring it to light then?” Marcus felt himself stepping into the role of examiner, searching for any hint of lying. He had grown to love these women, but his adoration for Tansy was greater, and that made it difficult not to demand they tell him everything.
Aster stood and put her hand on Tansy’s shoulder. “We kept our promise to her mother and put Tansy’s safety before distinction or fortune. She is more than our niece; she is like a daughter and sister to each of us.”
Tansy covered Aster’s hand with her own. “You saw so much heartache; it is no wonder you were scared. But whatever danger there is now, as an adult, I need to be informed so I might also protect myself.”
“Oh, child. If a man who had everything could not protect himself or your mother, how could you, a beautiful young lady, stay safe all on your own?”
“She is not alone.” Simon stepped away from the door. “She has us to protect her now.”
Marcus nodded. “We will do all in our power to protect her, including minimizing all threats.”
Iris reached out and put a hand on Tansy’s leg. “We have been wary of many powerful men, but do you know of someone here who might harm our girl? Could there still be threats on her life?”
Marcus met Tansy’s gaze. He wasn’t about to reveal her secrets without her permission. She sighed. “There is something I have not told you.” She looked at each of her aunts. “I have received a few threatening notes.”
“A few?” Marcus had had no idea she had received more than the one.
“From whom?” Iris shot to her feet, the fire returning to her eyes. “Not that cowardly dowager who is trying to take our cottage away from us? I ought to march over there and give her a lesson in manners.”
“I cannot say.” Tansy tugged on Iris to get her to sit again. “The notes were not signed.”
Simon slapped Marcus on the back. “Not to worry. My brother and I will get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, Mother ought to be pleased to hear that we have another woman of high birth in our midst.” While Simon gave a warm laugh, Marcus noted the discomfort in Iris’s and Aster’s faces. Something passed between them that Marcus could not identify. Was it his mother that bothered them, or the threats?
After assurances were made that the solicitor would be met with to determine what inheritance was due Tansy, they all vacated the Bellvues’ drawing room. Simon saw the ladies to his carriage, and Marcus went to offer apologies to their host. The news of Tansy’s parents was passing from mouth to mouth like wildfire, and he was assaulted with questions as soon as he stepped out onto the lawn.
Tansy deserved to have everything owed her due to her birthright, but Marcus wondered what that meant for the two of them. Surely, those quiet days under the willow would be a thing of the past. Everything was about to change for her and perhaps already had for them. She was now the daughter of a duke, and there was not a better match for her than his brother, her equal. Only Simon could restore everything that had been taken from her.
Chapter 29
Tansy had not seen Marcusfor over a week. Each day had seemed longer than the next with the emotion following the Bellvues’ party, especially without his presence to comfort her. She had even placed a thank-you note in the fairy house, but each morning she checked, it was still there. Why had he not come? Had she imagined that he might care for her? Had he been in an accident and was now suffering at the great house? Or was he merely too busy to be bothered? The only way she endured her time was to force herself to think of other things, like the birthday outing His Grace had arranged for her.
It was a treasure hunt on the estate at Ashbury Court, and even the children in the community had been invited to attend. Not only had a party been planned, but His Grace had been to Rose Cottage nearly every day. The clearer his romantic intentions became, the more she knew she would only ever see him as a friend. She had tried many times to put a stop to his flirtations, but he would only reply that they had all the time in the world to figure things out. The only reason she anticipated her birthday event was because it meant she might see Marcus.
The morning of her birthday, she woke from one of the best sleeps she had ever had. Not a single dream. She went to her closet, and her smile faded. Her wardrobe screamed impoverished spinster. With resignation, she pulled out one dress and then another, fretting over which would bring her the least embarrassment.
A knock at the door sounded.
“Come in.”
The door flew open, and all three of her aunts stumbled into the room, their faces beaming with joy. In their arms were not one but two dresses. “Surprise!”
She hurried to them. “What is this?”
“The blue gown is for today, and the pink, as you can see, is a ball gown.”
Aster held the blue one up to Tansy’s neck, and the light fabric draped against her. It tied in the back, the bodice simple and unadorned. However, the sleeves had a scalloped lace overlay, and there were two flounces with more of the same matching lace trim on the skirt’s hem. On a day gown, no less.
