Mistletoe and Mayhem: A Regency Holiday Romance Anthology, page 29
“The Redfern whose father is the Marquis of Malvoy’s nephew?” Louis asked. He was a watcher and remembered names.
“The very one.”
“Actually, do you know I haven’t seen or heard anything about him lately. Has he been in London this season?”
Charles looked about as if Jackson Redfern would suddenly appear.
“What are you doing?” Rory asked his brother.
“Looking for him?”
“Why? Louis just said he hadn’t seen him lately, so why do you think he would be ambling past you?”
“Why are you testy?” Joseph asked.
“I’m not testy. I just saw his sister, and my thoughts ran to Jackson naturally, as we were close at Eton.” Rory wasn’t ready yet to come clean as to what he’d discussed with her, but if he needed the support of his family, he would do. Right now he couldn’t be sure if it was just the overactive imagination of a sister. And yet, she didn’t seem prone to hysteria. Having said that, he barely knew her. The odd thing was, he suddenly wanted to.
“He’s hungry. Come.” Milly slipped her arm through Rory’s. “I get testy when I’m hungry, especially now, when I have the appetite of a jungle animal.”
Rory allowed her to drag him toward the supper room while his mind tried to remember everything Jackson Redfern had once told him about his sister.
Chapter Four
“I’m hoping there is at least some form of cake. Some of these hostesses insist on slivers of food that have little taste, feeding us tidbits of this and that when in fact what we want are eclairs and cake.”
“Is that the child talking or you?”
“No, that’s all her. Milly has a hunger for cake and eclairs that outshines yours, Rory,” Joe said over his shoulder. “The child has merely made that appetite more ferocious.”
“I shall try not to get in your way then.”
Milly patted his hand. “I will only bite you should there be one eclair left and you reach for it.”
“She’s only half joking,” Ellie said.
Releasing his sister-in-law, he watched her wander to the table with his sister. Looking along the length, he wondered it did not buckle under the weight of everything piled on top of it. He smelled spices and saw large wedges of fruitcake that he would be eating shortly.
More boughs of seasonal greenery hung about the place in here, all tied up with red satin ribbon. He saw some mistletoe, and his thoughts went to Miss Redfern. Had she been kissed under a sprig of mistletoe before? Had she even been kissed?
“Move along, Miss Redfern.”
“You appear to be hungry, Lady Trockler.”
Turning, he found her with an elderly woman, presumably the aunt, and Lord and Lady Trockler. Digging into his memory, he came up with another tidbit Jackson had told him. This aunt had come to live with them after the passing of her son.
She was dressed in lilac from head to toe, and even had a small spray in her hair.
“Good evening, Lord Trockler, Lady Trockler, and Miss Redfern.” Rory bowed. No point in alerting anyone that they’d already conversed this evening. “I hope you are enjoying the ball?”
“No I’m not. The seats are too hard, and the music was over loud,” Lady Trockler snapped. She then stomped away followed by her husband.
“That woman was born mean,” the lady with Miss Redfern said.
“This is my aunt, Mrs. Silver. Aunt, this is Mr. Haddon, he is an old school friend of Jackson’s,” Miss Redfern said before dropping into a curtsey. When she rose, he saw color in her face. Clearly she was uncomfortable seeing him again so soon.
“Allow me to introduce you to my brother, Lord Ellsworth, and brother-in-law, Lord Thurston, and lastly my youngest brother, Mr. Charles Haddon.”
As Milly and Ellie were now at the far end of the table, he left them out of the introductions.
“Oh my, you have all grown into handsome men. Of course I have seen you often at social gatherings, but as I spend most of my evenings seated with friends gossiping, we have never conversed. Can I say how proud your grandfather would have been of you all.”
“You knew him?” Joseph said, taking the gloved hand the elderly woman held out.
“I did. Wonderful man. We were all in love with him, but your grandmother won his heart.”
Moving slightly to the right, Rory leaned down to talk to Miss Redfern. “You need to hurry if it’s an eclair you’re after. My sister and sister-in-law have a ferocious appetite for them.”
Her eyes went from him to the table.
“Go on, you know you want to.”
“I certainly do not. I don’t like eclairs.”
“Oh, come now, who doesn’t like eclairs?”
“I’d much prefer the almond biscuits.”
“I must admit I like them also. Come, we shall endeavor to get one before my family devours everything.”
“Oh, but—”
“No one knows we have conversed or the reasons why. Your brother is an old friend of mine, so us talking or eating together will not raise eyebrows.”
She gave him a curt nod, then walked to the table.
“Miss Redfern, this is my sister-in-law, Lady Ellsworth, and sister, Lady Thurston.”
“Oh, but we are acquainted.” Ellie smiled, and Miss Redfern replied with one of her own. Rory had to admit it suited her. Her face changed entirely. Softened.
Seeing gossip was in her future, he wandered to where the fruitcake and his eldest brother stood.
“She has the look of Jackson. I’d not noticed it until this evening, but then I hardly remember seeing her,” Joseph said.
“I think she’s something of a wallflower.”
“Well, that explains it. Now, do you want to tell me what is concerning you?”
“Nothing is concerning me.” He shot Miss Redfern another look. Ellie was pointing to the eclairs, and she was shaking her head.
“Perhaps I can help?”
His brother always knew when he had something on his mind.
“Very well, but keep what I am telling you to yourself, as I’m not entirely sure as yet there is a problem.”
“You know I will.”
“Miss Redfern approached me earlier. She has grave concerns for Jackson.”
“What concerns?” Joe’s hand beat Rory’s to the final almond biscuit. “You will need to be quicker than that.”
“Yes, well, stop trying to distract me and I will.” Rory’s words were testy as he grabbed the inferior shortbread.
“Continue, and I will eat my biscuit and give you sage advice.”
“She thinks he’s gambling or something equally nefarious. It seems he’s spent a great deal of the family money and creditors have started to call. Miss Redfern said Jackson has been missing for a few weeks now, and while she has tried, as yet she cannot ascertain his whereabouts.”
“Where has she tried?” Joe took a crab patty.
“Bastil’s is one she named.”
“You’re not serious?”
“She’s an extremely determined woman, it seems, but has a footman who accompanies her, and it is now he who enters places she wishes to check.”
“Is that admiration I hear in your voice, brother?”
“No. I told her that she’d risked her reputation by doing what she had, but apparently Miss Redfern feels her disguise was up to the task.”
Joseph choked on the crab patty, which allowed Rory to whack him on the back.
“Will you help her?” his brother said when he could speak again.
“I’ve said I’ll meet with her tomorrow to discuss the matter further.”
“Good. I believe there is only Miss Redfern and her aunt left in the family, besides Jackson, so whatever you can do to aid them is a good thing. However, have a care and don’t step into anything without telling me or Charles first.”
“Manure?”
“Anything but manure.”
“Puddle?” Rory chewed on his biscuit as he watched Miss Redfern chat with Milly and Ellie. Their eyes caught and held briefly. It was she who turned away.
He felt a strange sensation in his stomach. Perhaps he’d eaten that fruitcake too quickly.
“The point I am attempting to make, Rory, is that I have no wish for you to walk into danger because a woman has directed you to.”
“Wrong brother, I believe. It is Charles who does things like that, not I,” Rory said, watching Miss Redfern take a large bite of the eclair she had told him she did not like. No dainty nibbling for her.
“We all are capable of doing foolish things when a woman is involved.”
Looking at his brother, he saw Joe’s eyes were on Milly.
“And yet I feel nothing for Miss Redfern. Her brother, however, was a friend and deserves that someone find out what is going on with him.”
“If you say so.”
“I know so,” Rory said.
“And yet your eyes have stayed on her continually since she entered the supper room.”
“No, they haven’t.” Rory turned his back on Miss Redfern. He then searched for something else to discuss. He watched as Lord Trockler picked up a cake and his wife took it out of his hands and put it on her own plate.
“That woman is nasty. Now, you’ll excuse me, brother. I am standing in the supper room but as yet have not eaten an eclair,” Rory said before he walked away. Taking the long way around the table, he pretended to study the array of food before reaching Miss Redfern’s side.
“I thought you did not like eclairs, Miss Redfern?”
“It is surprisingly good. Your sister urged me to try one.”
“Miss Redfern is a lover of almond biscuits like you, Rory,” Ellie said.
“Is she? Well, that shows she has good taste.”
“Or is clearly uneducated as to which food is superior,” Ellie added.
“Such messy things, eclairs,” Miss Redfern said, wiping her hands on a napkin.
“And where is it you will retire this winter, Miss Redfern?” Milly asked. He couldn’t remember if the Redferns had a country house or not.
“We are to stay in London. My brother has business here.”
Their eyes met and held, and both knew that whatever business Jackson was undertaking, there would be no end result that benefited the Redfern family.
Chapter Five
Ivy had lain in bed last night for hours agonizing over her decision to tell Mr. Haddon about Jackson. Her worry had not lessened when she opened her heavy lids this morning.
He was calling to speak with her soon, and she couldn’t stop wringing her hands. Ivy never wrung her hands. As far as she was concerned, that was for silly women who should know better. It seemed she was now one of those.
She’d changed her dress twice, and her maid was looking at her strangely, as she never did that either. Ivy was not really aware of fashion like some.
“I am being silly.” She walked slowly around the room and stopped at the window that looked down to the street. He was there again. Every time she left her house, she saw that man. Once he’d followed her up and down Bond Street. Another time he’d walked past the window when she was purchasing her aunt’s favorite toffee.
It had gone beyond coincidence. Why was he watching her? Ivy had a feeling it was to do with Jackson, and the shiver of fear accompanying that thought was not pleasant. Moving away, she clutched the back of her chair. Looking at her things, she tried to focus. She must be alert for when Mr. Haddon arrived.
Could he help her? Had she done the right thing by telling him?
Books sat one on top of the other on her nightstand. Diaries were beside them, and of course Herbertina, her doll, the only one she’d ever owned. It had been given to her by her brother. Seeing the torn left arm, she decided to give it to her aunt to fix.
A tap on her door had Ivy hurrying to answer it. Was Mr. Haddon here so soon?
“A note has been delivered for you, Miss Redfern.”
“Thank you, Parslip.”
Closing the door after the butler left, Ivy sat and looked at the missive.
Was it from Mr. Haddon? Had he decided against helping her? In all honesty, she wouldn’t be surprised. After all, with time and thought he may have decided she was a hysterical female after all.
At some point during those hours she stared at her ceiling, she’d had to acknowledge he intrigued her. Handsome, yes, but he was so much more than that. Jackson had talked about him often when he was home from Eton, and she’d come to like the man as much as her brother, even though they’d never met then.
Opening the note, she read the words.
I have your brother, Miss Redfern. If you wish to see him again, you will do exactly as I say. Gather money and jewelry and await my direction. Tell no one or he will die. Be aware that I am watching you.
Ivy crumpled the note in her hand.
Dear Lord, Jackson. She had to save him.
Rushing to her desk, she dashed off a note to Mr. Haddon. She could not involve him now, not when whoever wrote that note expressly asked her to speak to no one. There was also the fact that she could not live with herself if she put him in the path of danger when he was only helping her.
Walking back to the window, she saw the man was now gone. Be aware that I am watching you.
Grabbing the doll, as it would prove a distraction so her aunt didn’t see her worry, she hurried down the stairs.
“Parslip, please send this to the Earl of Ellsworth’s address.” She handed the missive to the butler. “Ensure it is placed into the hands of Mr. Haddon.”
“At once, Miss Redfern.”
“I will also need the carriage soon and for Timothy to accompany me.”
“I shall see to it at once.”
“I will leave the house within the hour.”
Ivy was certain that her brother was being held at Le Plaisir, a brothel and gambling establishment. Her deductions had all pointed there, so that was where she would start her investigations today. She did not have the time to sit and wait for the demands of the blackmailer. With limited funds, and very little jewelry, she could not offer much, so she had to find her brother and rescue him.
“Your aunt has asked that you attend her in the morning parlor, Miss Redfern.”
“Of course. I shall go there directly.” Hurrying to the small parlor, she entered to find Aunt Bea drinking her morning cup of tea.
“Good morning.” She managed a smile
Aunt Beatrice was her father’s sister. Lively, with many friends, she had lived with the Redfern siblings for many years.
“Hello, darling. Is Herbertina needing more repairs?”
“She is. Now I cannot stop, I must hurry before the lending library closes. Have you any requests?”
“But it doesn’t close for a few hours yet, surely?”
“I have a few other errands to run also. I will take my maid and Timothy with me.” She kissed a soft, pale cheek. Her aunt smelled as she always did, of lilacs. Her silver hair was pinned into the style it always was, and a spray of lilacs were pinned there. When she couldn’t access real ones, she wore silk flowers.
Aunt Bea said the flower reminded her of her late husband.
“Have you heard from Jackson, dear?”
“I have, and he says he will be home any day now. His business is nearly completed.”
“I still don’t understand why he felt he need to hare off to Scotland at such a time. The weather will be far worse than anything we get in London. I hope he packed plenty of warm clothes.”
“I’m sure he did, and I believe the business matter quite an urgent one.” Ivy hated lying, but she must until she could get Jackson home. Her aunt would not suffer because of her brother’s recklessness.
“Pass me that doll. I shall repair her arm before it falls off completely, but one day I fear she will simply disintegrate.”
“I will deal with that day when it arrives.”
“A Mr. Haddon has arrived,” Parslip said from the doorway.
“Didn’t we meet him last night?” Aunt Bea asked. “He was one of the handsome brothers, if memory serves.”
Why is he so early? Her note had clearly not reached him yet, so he must have left early to visit her. She would now have to find a way to tell him she no longer needed his help.
“Bring him in, Parslip. We have not had a man in the house for weeks. It’s most exciting.” Aunt Bea clapped her hands. “And have fresh tea and food brought in. Young men are always ravenous.”
“Perhaps I should see what he wants. He may have called to drop something off. I did ask about a book he had,” Ivy lied.
“We know what he wants, dear.” Aunt Bea winked at her.
Ivy’s stomach plunged to her toes. Her aunt thought Mr. Haddon was interested in her, which of course could not be further from the truth.
“Oh no, he’s not interested in me, I assure you.”
“Of course he is, and who would not be considering how beautiful and intelligent you are,” her aunt said, loyal as always.
“Mr. Haddon,” Parslip said, which caused Ivy’s tummy to flutter.
“Good morning.” He stepped through the door and bowed, appearing larger and even more vital than he had last night. Dressed in a midnight blue jacket and waistcoat, he looked calm and almost like he was just paying Ivy a call, as her aunt had hoped he was.
“Mr. Haddon, we had not expected you.” Ivy needed to play this game carefully to ensure her aunt was not alerted to what was really going on.
“You’ll forgive me for not sending word of my intention to call.” He smiled, which set her aunt tittering. Ivy was made of sterner stuff than that, even if the smile did something special to his chocolate-brown eyes and showed up the laughter lines around his mouth.
“No apology needed at all, Mr. Haddon.” Aunt Bea was beaming. “We welcome a visit from you at any time. Don’t we, Ivy?”
Dear Lord. Her aunt’s jaw would be stuck in that position if her smile grew any wider.
“Of course.”
What was she to do now? She couldn’t very well tell him she no longer needed his assistance in front of their aunt, but if not now, when? What if he brought the matter up in front of Aunt Bea? Panic gripped her.
