A Court of Thorns for Lady Ambergrave: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Read online

  Chapter 2

  Gideon Cross, Marquess of Ambergrave, looked out the upstairs window at the sprawling glens surrounding his estate. He expected to be filled with a torrent of memories, some pleasant but others straight from his nightmares. Some of the thoughts that wound their way through his mind were of his adoring parents, doting on him as they took outings or rode horses or played at boules, his mother always finding a way to let him win.

  Those recollections were fleeting, though, cruelly supplanted by the recall of the night he learned his parents had died. The flames that engulfed the main house had moved quickly that night, but the fire had not been the cause of their demise.

  Gideon had been the one to cause their deaths.

  “My Lord, will you be overseeing the remainder of the builder’s plans today?” his butler, Derwall, asked politely. Gideon was slightly startled, having forgotten that he had not been alone in the room.

  “Oh, yes. I’d forgotten he was coming this way today. Please send word that I’ll meet with him by ten o’clock,” he replied somewhat absently.

  “Very good, My Lord,” Derwall answered.

  A housemaid entered the small study to stoke the fire, and Gideon stiffened. Derwall, ever indispensable, waved her back and shook his head sharply.

  “It’s all right, Derwall,” Gideon said quietly. “It will have to happen sometime, it might as well be today. We can’t go all winter chilling ourselves to the bone and catching our death of grippe.”

  “Very good, My Lord,” Derwall said once again, gesturing for the maid to come forward to start the fire. “Though there will be plenty of time each day once you are otherwise engaged, if that suits you. I have just had the chimney sweeps ‘round to ensure all are cleared and ready, just to be certain.”

  “Thank you, I’d forgotten to do that,” Gideon admitted sheepishly.

  “It is no trouble, My Lord. Though you will have to be the one to keep your appointment with the physician. As much as I would gladly take your place, I fear it will not keep you in good stead,” Derwall said lightly.

  Gideon laughed. “No, I should say not. I have cancelled the engagement twice now, haven’t I?”

  “I fear it may be closer to four times,” Derwall corrected. “Shall I send word once again?”

  “Yes, thank you. And this time, do not permit me to abandon the meeting. No matter what excuse I may give, please see to it that I am home and meet with him,” Gideon explained, finally turning to look at the butler so that he might see how serious he was. “Even to the point of forgetting your station, do or say whatever you must to see to it.”

  “I say, My Lord, hopefully it will not come to that. I value my place in your household and would never wish to compromise it,” the butler said, looking somewhat aghast.

  “Then let’s both pray it does not come to that, shall we?” Gideon asked, attempting to be humorous but only furthering his dark mood.

  “If I may, what is the cause of your aversion? I have been with you a great many years, and at times have even had to serve as your valet. Unless I am terribly mistaken, your injuries are not so grave that you should have cause to fear the physician’s assessment.”

  Gideon didn’t answer, long enough that he worried the butler might mistake his silence for reprimand. He forced himself to smile good-naturedly and nodded.

  “You’re right, Derwall. You almost always are, and it’s only one of the reasons I value your service here. I shall see the physician as soon as he is available,” Gideon replied.

  He turned away once more and continued looking outside, intentionally avoiding thinking about his medical care by turning his thoughts to the house. The necessary repairs had taken place immediately after the fire, but only to rebuild what structure had been destroyed. Now, these many years later, it was up to Gideon to restore the long-empty house to its once-grand appearance, starting with the builder who’d been contracted to come that very day.

  It’s what his parents would have wanted, and he was filled with a sense of shame that he’d let it remain neglected all this time. If he hoped to make peace with their deaths and reclaim the place they’d held for him in the peerage, reopening the stately but beautiful Ashworth Hall at Ambergrave was his first task.

  Beyond that, rebuilding the stables and stocking them with fine breeds was a must, especially if Gideon intended on calling or being seen about the ton. While envisioning that task actually served to lift his spirits somewhat, it would also mean hiring stable hands and a stablemaster, though. He was aware that he needed to bring on more household staff, as an estate of this size was far too much for his meager employees to handle. While Derwall had been with him for some time, he could not burden the man with everything that had to be done.

  Remembering the staff of more than a hundred who coddled him and doted on him as a boy, Gideon calculated that he needed no less than a valet, a driver and footmen, several more housemaids, and at least one other cook to assist Mrs.—what was her name again?

  “Derwall, who is the woman you hired for the kitchen—” Gideon started to say, but then he saw that he was alone in the room. “Very well, I’ll have to learn her name later on.”

  He supposed at some point he would have to host some sort of affair, hopefully a small and unassuming one, in order to let the word spread that Ashworth Hall was once again inhabited. He despised attending any sort of well-appointed ball, though his years in business had often required it of him; the thought of actually playing the jovial host made his nerves alight.

  “That’s it then, there’s no getting around it,” Gideon muttered absently, a sinking feeling coming over him and making his sour mood even more hopeless. “That’s what I need more than cooks and maids and stable hands.”

  There was only one other thing he would need to do in order to reenter the regional society and bring Ashworth Hall back to its former glory: find a suitable wife.

  “Arise, my young charge!” Christina called out in a chipper voice, flinging open the curtains with gusto and flooding Luci’s chambers with sunlight. Luci groaned, reaching for a downy pillow to pull over her eyes. “Oh no, you don’t. Young ladies who stay out at balls until late into the night must awaken early the next morn so that they do not become accustomed to laziness and sloth.”

  “It is not slothful to require adequate sleep!” Luci protested, but her words were muffled to the point of being mistaken for agreement.

  “In any event, your mother requests you to take your breakfast with her, then your parents are both going out and would like you to ride with them. We’ll have to see to your drawing lessons later this afternoon,” the governess replied with a pleasant warning. “After all, nous ne devons pas arrêter d'apprendre parce que notre gaieté nous gêne.”

  “I haven’t neglected my learning! Besides,” Luci answered back, sitting upright and letting her hair fall in her face, “Ich habe wichtigere Dinge gefunden, um meine Zeit zu beschäftigen.”

  “My dear girl, you must not answer in German if you were addressed in French. It’s very bad form,” Christina teased. “Now hurry. I want to hear all about the ball, and that reminds me, your mother has retained a dance master after seeing the influx of new reels that were enjoyed last night. He will be here today at six o’clock, so we must be finished with lessons by then.”

  “All right,” Luci said, sighing. “Though I haven’t had to endure dancing lessons since before I was out in society. He will likely throw a vase and storm out after seeing what little I still remember.”

  “You deny yourself credit, Luci. You know you are quite a lovely dancer. Now hurry, your lady mother is waiting.” Christina laid out items for Luci to wear, then added, “I’ll return in a moment to help you dress.”

  “Ah, Luci, there you are!” Lady Thornshire called out from her seat by the fire when Luci finally made her way down the hall. “Come join me.”

  “Certainly, Mother,” Luci said, entering the small morning room and taking a chair nearby. A serv
ant came forward to bring a small table already piled with delectable dishes, setting it within Luci’s reach. “Is something wrong?”

  “Oh, not at all, dear. I just wanted to ask you how you enjoyed Lord Ridley’s ball yesterday evening?” Her mother shook her head slightly at the servant and reached to pour her daughter some tea herself. “You appeared to be having a wonderful time.”

  “Oh, I did! It was wonderful to see Bette again after such a long time. I hadn’t realized how much her absence pained me until I finally saw her again,” Luci replied, accepting the delicate teacup with thanks.

  “Was Lady Elizabeth the only person you saw who brought you such happiness?” her mother asked, smiling and watching her over the rim of her own teacup.

  Luci frowned, thinking back through her evening and worrying that she had made some grievous misstep. “What makes you ask that? Did I… did I do something wrong? Was I too forward, or spoke with too many gentlemen?”

  “Oh, not at all, my darling!” her mother cried, reaching for Luci’s hand and squeezing it reassuringly. “Quite the contrary, in fact. I was merely wondering if any of the young men in attendance held your fancy.”

  “I am so relieved,” Luci answered, falling back against her chair for a moment. “I worried that I had caused any number of tongues to wag, embarrassing both you and Father.”

  “Rest assured, daughter, I would never allow that to happen. I would speak to you discreetly to prevent any harm to your reputation,” Lady Thornshire said sweetly. “But as to my question, did you take a liking to any of the young men you danced with?”

  Luci wondered how much she should divulge. Was it proper to speak of her feelings for Bradley with her mother, knowing that he had not yet spoken to her father? Would it anger her mother to learn that she and Bradley had first met nearly two months ago at a luncheon, and that they had since seen each other quite regularly while Luci rode about the ton or attended events?

  “No, Mother, I don’t know that any one of them stood out in my mind. Of course, they were all pleasant and well-spoken and respectable,” she said, ignoring her governess’ knowing face in the doorway. She returned Christina’s pointed stare for a moment and then replied, “Is there some purpose that causes you to inquire?”

  “None really,” Lady Thornshire answered with a brief wave, “only that you are of marriageable age and your father has a significant role in choosing a husband. I, for one, am only concerned for your happiness and your secure future. I care not a whit for who has this title or that fortune. I only care that your husband is the right match for you, and thus wondered if you might already have your eye on someone.”

  “My Lady, please forgive my intrusion,” Christina announced suddenly, coming into the cheerful morning room. “But if you are to ride today and Lady Luci is still to have her drawing and dancing lessons, then I must bid her come with me to dress for her ride.”

  “Is it so late already?” Lady Thornshire asked, looking to small clock that sat on the mantel. “It hardly feels like the proper hour.”

  “Of course, My Lady. But I must also ensure that her gown for this afternoon is pressed and not in need of alterations. It has been some time since she required a dance master, and it would not do to keep him waiting because her gown was not suitable.”

  “Oh. I suppose not. All right then, off you go, my dear. Your father and I shall be waiting for you outside within the hour,” Luci’s mother said.

  Luci kissed her mother’s cheek and followed Christina only so far as the hallway before turning and demanding, “What was the purpose of that?”

  “Of what? Preventing you from informing your mother that you are quite taken with a man who—for some odd reason—has yet to speak to your father about marriage?” Christina whispered. “You will thank me should you ever learn what your mother’s reaction might have been, trust me on this!”

  “Is it truly so wrong for a man and a woman to speak to one another within plain sight of plenty who might serve as witnesses and chaperones?” Luci asked, both puzzled and disturbed.

  “Sadly, my dear, yes.” Christina sighed and looked sympathetic. “I know of the affection you have for Lord Stillscar. After all, I’m your chaperone for most of your outings and have seen how he happens to be in the vicinity whenever you go out. But the very fact that he has been speaking to you illicitly could be reason enough for your father to reject him outright.”

  “What? Why would Father do such a thing if the Earl holds me in such high esteem that he goes to these lengths to see me?”

  “Simply for not having followed all the proper protocols, I’m afraid.” Christina linked her arm through Luci’s and led her towards her chambers. “Where matters of men and marriage are concerned, all must be done by the book—at least on the outside of things—in order to prevent scandal.”

  Chapter 3

  “Good day, Lord Thornshire,” the undersecretary said, brushing off several clerks who had appeared to take the Earl’s coat and hat in favor of tending to the man himself. “I trust you had a pleasant journey to the harbor today.”

  “Yes, yes. Not a trouble in sight,” Lord Thornshire replied, scrutinizing the man’s face. He certainly seemed familiar, but the Earl was unable to place him.

  The official cleared his throat and leaned closer to say, “Reginald Davids, My Lord. We were introduced at Lord Ridley’s ball celebrating his daughter last week.”

  “Ah yes, Davids,” Lord Thornshire replied, relieved to remember him now. “My apologies, my mind is clumsier than my feet these days, especially when I have important business matters to see to.”

  “Of course, My Lord. Shall we sit and begin addressing the matters? Or do you require some refreshment first?” The official indicated a small tea cart that was laden with a few items, but the Earl shook his head.

  “No, no. It will only delay things and I have a lengthy ride home this evening. Let’s get to it, then! You sent word that you needed to meet in order to discuss my exports. How are my affairs holding up?” Lord Thornshire sat down and stretched his legs out before him, settling in to discuss the good news of his investments.

  “Well, I’m terribly distressed that I must be the bearer of unfortunate news,” Davids said, making a pretense of searching his desk for sheaves of papers. “But there is a matter of your business partner.”

  “Yes, a silent partner. I make the investments, he fronts the funds, and the both of us are rather wealthy!” the Earl said, smiling. “It’s the ideal working partnership.”

  “I’m afraid that your partnership has hit a most unfortunate snag, My Lord. It seems your partner has not been privy to the latest investments and therefore has withdrawn his support. He sold his stocks in your company some time ago, and—”

  “What?! When?” the older man roared, half-rising from his chair. ‘Why wasn’t I notified of this?”

  “I’m sorry, My Lord, this was nearly a year ago. We assumed you consulted with your partner on matters such as these on a routine basis,” the official said, blinking his sharp blue eyes in astonishment.

  “Of course I don’t consult with the man, he’s a silent partner, contracted through mutual business acquaintances, for good reason. I don’t even know his name, let alone have frequent chats over mutton and ale!” the Earl explained indignantly.

  “I see, that is most unusual.” Davids looked as upset as the Earl by this news. “But we are not in the habit of informing anyone when investors make a business decision, especially one of that astounding sum.”

  Davids rifled around his desktop once more in order to avoid looking the Earl in the eye. Lord Thornshire fell back against his chair and exhaled sharply.

  “Well, get on with it! What is the damage?” he demanded, but Davids seemed reluctant to answer. Finally, he could stall no longer.

  “The latest venture, shipping to and from the Caribbean Seas, is completely undone,” he answered quietly. “The shares of that company are now worthless. Then there is the origina
l shipping line to the former colonies, begun over a decade ago. Business is still quite prosperous there, but unfortunately, you borrowed against that company to purchase your controlling stake in the Caribbean company.”

  “So what are you saying?”

  “Your latest venture is completely shuttered, and your former company is now bankrupt to cover the debts incurred when you lost your business,” Davids answered, finally looking the Earl in the eye. He leaned forward and clasped his hands in front of him. “So you see why this is now a matter for the Crown, and I had to summon you here today?”

  “No, I still cannot fathom it!” Lord Thornshire answered in disbelief. “What has happened?”

  “His Majesty has seized the assets of your Delaware Bay Company to cover the losses. There is still a rather large debt that remains unpaid, but you’ll have six months to reassess your businesses and properties in order to fulfill that obligation.” Davids smiled as though this should come as some sort of relief, but Lord Thornshire only stared blankly as though he hadn’t heard him properly.