Page 57 of A Wicked Business

Chapter 16

Dear Mama,

Please do not get excited, but on the off chance that such gossip reached your ears, I am not marrying Lady Belinda Madox-Brown.

―Excerpt of a letter from The Right Hon’ble Philip Barrington, The Earl of Ashburton to his mother, The Most Hon’ble Matilda Barrington, The Marchioness of Montagu.

7th August 1850, Keston House, Grosvenor Square, London.

“I still can’t believe he laughed,” Doris said sceptically the next morning as she arranged Belinda’s thick hair in a sleek chignon before covering it in a corded silk snood.

“I know,” Belinda said, catching Doris’ eye in the looking glass. “I felt I saw a glimpse of the man he might have been if my mother hadn’t died. My old nanny always said he was devastated by the loss of her, but I admit I had begun to think her an old romantic, that he could never have had any warm feelings. Yet when he spoke of her last night, I felt it, the echo of something powerful and longed for.”

“Tragic is what it is,” Doris said with her usual candour. “Stupid, too. Him broken-hearted for his wife and you broken-hearted for a father that didn’t see you. What a different life you both might have had.”

Belinda shrugged. “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”

Doris opened a neat leather box and handed it to Belinda, who took out the pearl earbobs within whilst Doris picked up the matching necklace. “I don’t know about that, but I do know your pa is a stubborn old goat. He’s determined you wed Ashburton and he’ll be mad as fire when he discovers you’ve thwarted him.”

“I know,” Belinda replied sadly. “It pains me to deceive him so dreadfully; to know he may never forgive me. For just a moment last night, I felt we were truly family, united against a common foe. Papa defended me, Doris, and it felt so wonderful to know he cared enough to do so. I… I had not dared to hope for such a thing after so many years,” she admitted.

“There, there, pet. You’ve your whole life ahead of you, and I reckon you and Mr Knight are well suited. He’ll not be an easy husband, I’ll wager, but that’s not what you want or need. You’d walk all over a weaker man and rail against one who didn’t give you your freedom. He’s the right mix of strength and understanding, if you ask me. Charlie says he’s the best man he knows, and he’s no fool.”

“Indeed, he is not, and I think you are right, Doris. I wish we’d had more time, and he had been able to court me in the usual way, with my father’s blessing, but I feel fortunate indeed to have found him at all. I shall not repine that things are not perfect, and if my father truly cares for me, I suppose he will forgive me in time,” Belinda said, but they both heard the doubt behind her words.

Doris laid a hand on her shoulder in a silent show of understanding. A knock sounded at the door. Doris went to answer it, then returned to Belinda with a rueful smile.

“Well, your pa is asking for you. So, you’d best go down and face whatever bee is in his bonnet now.”

Belinda sighed and got to her feet, smoothing down her dress, which was one of her favourites. The shot silk appeared a glorious lilac in some lights and a silver grey in others. The three-quarter length sleeves fell open to show a loose muslin undersleeve trimmed with rows of lace. It was a very becoming outfit and Belinda hoped seeing her look so well might put her father in a good mood, for she knew he enjoyed the reflected good fortune of having a beautiful daughter.

She found him still in the breakfast parlour, where he was reading a newspaper and drinking a cup of coffee.

“Ah, Belinda, there you are. I hope you are recovered after last night’s unpleasant scene. A nasty little man, that Mr Flint, though I must admit he proved helpful while it lasted.”

“I am quite well, Papa, but if you will forgive my impertinence, I cannot like that you used the man so. Unpleasant he might be, but he was within his rights to be furious at your deception.”

Belinda braced herself for a scolding which didn’t come; her father only made a scoffing sound and shook his head.

“Foolish child. You do not understand yet how the world works. This is why women are ill-suited to business. If you want to succeed in life, you must be ruthless. You must take what you want, not ask for it to be given to you. Determine what it is you wish for and do not let anyone stand in your way.”

Belinda listened to her father’s words and smiled. At least when the time came, and he learned she had married Felix Knight, she could say with honesty that she had only done what he himself had advised her to do.

“Now then,” the earl said, setting his paper aside and picking up what appeared to be the latest volume of His Grace and Disfavour. “This is a remarkable piece of work. Tell me, child, who wrote it?”

“I don’t know, sir. No, truly, I do not,” she said urgently as his eyes narrowed. “The author wishes to remain anonymous. It came to me via a circuitous route, and I do not know who wrote it.”

“A pity,” the earl said with a sigh. “It’s obviously someone close to Sefton’s family. Just think how many other skeletons he must have rattling around, eager to be let out. Things they are no doubt privy to.”

“Papa!” Belinda said, rather shocked. She knew well enough that her father could be ruthless, but all the same, to hear him speak so about a man who was supposed to be his friend was outrageous.

Her father laughed and then his keen gaze settled upon her, a curious light in his eyes that gave her pause. “Tell me, Belinda, how did you manage it?”

“M-Manage it, sir?” she repeated, her heart picking up speed.

“Yes, daughter. How did you buy this property? How did you know to create a company to buy it on your behalf, hiding your involvement?”

“Well, I got advice, naturally, sir,” she said, avoiding his gaze and pouring herself a cup of coffee despite not wanting one. She needed to do something, though. Her hands shook, and she set the coffeepot down with a clatter.