Page 62 of Wager for a Wife

“No,” Louisa replied. “I don’t think he would outright lie to create an advantage for himself. Kerridge saw what he saw and felt he needed to share it.” She turned to face her brothers. “Do you have a mistress, Alex? Do you, Anthony?” she asked.

Both brothers went as red as a beetroot. “I cannot believe you just asked us that,” Anthony exclaimed, a look of utter horror on his face. “Nor is it a question I will answer. Good heavens, Louisa, whatever has gotten into you?”

“You know very well what has gotten into me,” she answered indignantly.

Alex remained silent, his face gradually returning to its usual color. “In answer to your question, Weezy, I do not have a mistress, no,” he said. “Nor have I ever. That is not to say I am a saint, however. That being said, our father taught both Anthony and me that fidelity in marriage is honorable and preferable to the selfishness of taking a mistress. One has made vows before God when one marries, you see, and therefore, marriage is not to be taken lightly. But this is not a discussion about Tony and me or our personal behavior; this is about you and Farleigh and what Kerridge claims he saw.”

“You’re right. And since I have questions about William I intend to have answered before the final banns are read, I have decided I will find those answers for myself,” Louisa said. She stalked over to the door of her dressing room. “Tibbetts,” she called softly.

The door opened, and Tibbetts, yawning, her hair tucked in a nightcap, appeared. “Yes, milady?”

“I wish to pack for a two day’s journey. Nothing too elaborate; clothing suitable for the countryside.”

Tibbetts curtsied and left.

“Our little sister is hatching something devious, it would seem,” Alex whispered loudly behind his hand to Anthony.

“There is a definite glint in her eye,” Anthony replied. “It has me quaking in my boots.”

“Enough, both of you,” she said. “If I am to consign my fate to him, I will do so with both eyes open. I am determined in this.”

“If that is so, Weezy,” Anthony said, “then, assuredly, Alex and I will help you.”

“Thank you. For I wish to go to Buckinghamshire, to Farleigh Manor. Tomorrow morning, at first light. I want to speak to the people there, the people who actually know William and know him best.”

“You have our undivided attention,” Alex said.

* * *

Louisa awoke early the next morning, clear-headed and with a sense of resolve.

Buckinghamshire was a mere half day’s journey from London, and since she intended to be there for only a day or two, packing was easily completed and the carriage readied by ten o’clock. It was fortuitous that she had known Mama and Papa had both planned to leave the house early, Papa to the House of Lords and Mama to deliver charity boxes.

It had been agreed amongst the siblings that Anthony would remain in London to explain Louisa and Alex’s sudden absence and deal with any unforeseen trouble that might arise. Trouble meaning Lord Farleigh. Anthony had assured Louisa he could ward Farleigh off for a day or two with excuses that she had been shaken by their encounter—which was true enough—and wasn’t ready to see him yet as a result.

Additionally, Anthony was to tell their parents that Louisa and Alex were visiting Farleigh Manor so she could become acquainted with her future home—also essentially true, albeit not the entire truth since they had not been invited to do so by William, but Mama and Papa would assume so. If either parent raised questions regarding the suddenness of the trip, Anthony was to weave a colorful fabric of explanations that would reassure them, especially when they knew Alex would be at Louisa’s side the entire time, along with Louisa’s personal maid, Tibbetts.

Louisa and Alex made good time and arrived in the village of Farsham, the seat of Viscount Farleigh, by midafternoon. Louisa wasn’t sure what she’d expected to find and was pleasantly surprised by what she discovered. The village was small but boasted, among other things, a bakery and a grocer, a millinery shop, a lovely ancient church, and a pub called the George and Dragon, which seemed to be doing a thriving business at the moment.

They learned from a friendly and curious villager that if they followed the high street, they would come to a road on the right that wound around a nearby hill, and on the other side of the hill, they would find Farleigh Manor.

They found the road described, and Louisa stared out the carriage window as they rounded the hill, taking in every rock and tree and flower and trying to imagine William here as a boy. They eventually spotted a tree-lined lane that marked the entrance to the manor and turned onto it. And then the house came into view.

Farleigh Manor did not compare by half to the grandeur of Ashworth Park, the country estate of her father, but had a modest, rustic charm. It was constructed of red brick, covered in ivy, and had two stories and an attic. It was laid out symmetrically with a generous use of windows.

As the carriage rolled up to the front entrance, the doors of the manor house opened, and an elderly, white-haired man with stooped shoulders stepped outside.

Alex exited the carriage first and then assisted Louisa from the carriage. He handed his calling card to the man. “The Earl of Halford,” he said, using his most bored, aristocratic tone. “And my sister, Lady Louisa Hargreaves, daughter of the Marquess of Ashworth.”

“Welcome to Farleigh Manor, your lordship, your ladyship,” the man said with a deep, formal bow. “Grimshaw, the butler, at your service. We’ve been expecting you.” He looked about. “But where is Lord Farleigh? Has he been detained?”

“Still in London, I’m afraid,” Alex drawled. “But we chose to come anyway. Hope that isn’t a problem.”

“Not at all, not at all,” Grimshaw said. He gestured for them to enter. “As I say, we’ve been expecting you.”

A woman wearing a neat gray dress stepped outside to join them. “Indeed, we have,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “Welcome to Farleigh Manor.”

“May I present Mrs. Holly, the housekeeper,” Grimshaw said. “Mrs. Holly, this is the Earl of Halford and his sister, Lady Louisa Hargreaves.”

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