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“I…I had no choice,” Vern said.
“Indeed, my young lord, I think it is time to come clean. Why did you have no choice?” Sir Edward said kindly as he pulled up a chair for Star and saw her seated. He stood with his hands folded into one another behind his back. Even in that moment of stress and uncertainty, Star watched him, admired him and felt all would be well with him at the helm. “You must have realized that stampeding into a ball willy-nilly would cause undue attention to yourself.”
Vern stared at Sir Edward through eyes that would not focus. He ran his hands over his tussled hair “You don’t understand…how could you?”
“Ah, but I think that I do and I mean to help you, if you allow.”
“Thank you. I am a beast and a terrible burden to my sister. I am certain I have plunged us into something I shan’t recover. If only you could find a way to spare her the shame of it all.”
Star saw that he was about to cry and reached out and touched his hands, “Nonsense. It is no such thing. All you ever wanted to do was repair the damage our father brought down on Berkley. We shall do it. See if we don’t.”
“No, Star…you don’t know what has happened. By morning, I shall be ruined,” Vern cried out loud. “And you…because of me.”
“Rest easy, no one shall ruin your sister,” Sir Edward interjected. “Now, tell me why you think you have ruined yourself and perhaps we shall find a way to repair it.” Sir Edward’s voice though kind was commanding.
“Ran off my legs…”
“Well, as to that, there isn’t a man worth his salt that hasn’t found himself doing that at one time or other in his career,” Edward said on a frown, noting that Miles had a fist to his mouth and was looking grim.
“You don’t understand,” Vern groaned. “I am involved with the worst kind…of scoundrels.” He glanced at his sister, “You know, sis, that matter you handled for me recently?”
“Yes, Vern?” she answered on a frown.
Sir Edward glanced her way, his brows drawn together. She saw it and blanched. What would he think of her if he knew?
“Just spit it out and be done with it, young lord,” Edward demanded.
“Everything has gone awry,” Vern said dolefully as he put a hand to his forehead. “Please believe me. I did not realize things would grow out of proportion as they have done. Now, I have reason to believe there will be trouble here…tonight.”
Star’s hand went to her mouth and she leaned further forward, taking her brother’s hand to her cheek. “Hush love, it can’t be that bad…”
“But it is! That was precisely what I was threatened with tonight,” he said, his voice filled with misery.
“But why?” Star asked aware of Sir Edward’s scrutiny. She knew he was beginning to put matters in place. She saw it come together in his eyes.
Vern stared at her, unable to speak. Miles paced at some distance. She was certain Vern had confided in him from his mannerisms.
Sir Edward sat finally beside Vern on the other winged chair and said, “Will you two trust me?” He glanced at Star, “I think—I am certain, I can help.”
Star turned away from studying her brother’s face and stared up at Sir Edward once more. Instinct pushed her to answer him in the affirmative. She said instead, “It is not a matter of trust, forgive me, Sir Edward, it is a family matter.”
“Is it?” he answered doubtfully. “Well, shall we then get this family member home?”
“Oh, yes, please,” she said thankfully.
“No, no…they will come here later tonight and they will…”
“Enough. No one will make it past the doors if they dare to arrive at Sefton without invitation. Rest easy on that,” Sir Edward returned on a grave note. He moved off and pulled the bellrope.
Star could feel his eyes on her as she argued with her brother in a hushed whisper. A servant arrived and Sir Edward requested that Jules’ carriage be brought around and that Vern’s horse be tethered to the boot. He turned to Star and under his thoughtful gaze she felt the heat ru
sh to her cheeks. Until that moment, watching him take control in such a perfect way, she hadn’t realized how very kind and thoughtful this man could be.
He went to her and as she was still holding her brother’s hand. He took her other hand and gently pulled her up from her chair and away from her brother.
“Come, my dear…” he said and pulled her close. “We will see him through this, whether you trust me or no.”
She wanted to tell him that she did trust him. At that moment, she knew she would trust him with her life, but she couldn’t tell him what Vern’s secret was. That was for Vern to do. She did however, say “Sir Edward…I am concerned. My brother has reason—good reason to believe…well, what I am saying is…” She sighed heavily, “Do you think the Seftons are amply protected against a possible…er…raid of some sort?”
