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“Well, I can’t believe you’re willing to run craven like this, to be perfectly frank.”
The room fell silent on Vigilia’s sharp intake of breath. Ash wanted to step forward and enfold her in his arms, but that was the thing that had instigated this messy scene in the first place, so he managed to restrain himself. Vigilia and her friend stared at one another while what seemed like an entire conversation took place between them without anything being uttered.
“I shouldn’t have said that, Vick, my apologies.” Her hand hovered over her midsection significantly, making Vigilia laugh again. Ash marvelled at her strength of character in the face of the sticky situation she was still mired in.
“That babe is going to have its ears filled with stories, George,” was all she said, though, with a shake of her head before turning to face the gentlemen in the room.
“Mr. Northcott, I thank you for offering a solution to the awkwardness that was thrust upon us, but I do hope you’ll understand when I accept the solution Wexford is offering.” Her face was the most impassive he had ever seen it, as though she had used up her quota of emotions and couldn’t decide which one to feel, so at the moment she wasn’t feeling any of them. She turned back to Crossley and his wife. “You know I love you both. I should have confided in you what was happening, but I thought I could handle it. I didn’t actually think Wexford would come. I thought he’d send a note,” she added with a tight little laugh. “But under the circumstances, this is probably the best all around. I’ll go home with him. He and Eastwood can clear up the situation Lord Bertram thrust upon me, and I’ll come back.”
Ash couldn’t remain silent any longer. “Surely, I should be the one to look after the Bertram mess, since it’s really my fault, not yours.”
Wexford stepped between him and Vigilia. “You have three days Northcott. If you haven’t dispatched him by then, Eastwood and I will do it for you.”
A chilled silence fell over the room again before Vigilia broke it with a forced cheer. “There you have it, George. I’ll probably be back under foot in little more than a week.”
“Vicky, your maid is already collecting your things. I’d like to leave as soon as possible, so perhaps you ought to change into your travelling gear,” Wexford urged her.
Lady Vigilia appeared startled for the briefest moment but then she hurried forward to kiss Lady Crossley’s cheek. Ashford couldn’t hear what she whispered, but Georgia’s face suddenly cleared of her concern. Vigilia kept her head down as she hurried from the room without even the flicker of an eyelash in his direction.
Awkward silence remained in her wake.
Lady Crossley suddenly stood, shaking out her skirts. “Well, that was eventful. Mr. Northcott, you were a dear for offering for her, but it seems it isn’t necessary. I do hope you’ll stay a few more days. Do you think you’ll be able to deal with Bertram without causing a great scene?”
Ash grinned. He couldn’t decide if her tears had been for show, for her friend’s sake, or if she was just that resilient.
“I will do my very best,” he replied with a bow as he left the room, going in search of Bertram.
When he found him in the archery range, it crossed his mind that it might not be the safest choice to confront the bounder when he had a bow and arrow in his hands. Ash prudently waited until all the arrows had been shot before making his presence known.
“Might I have a word with you, Bertram?”
“We’re in the middle of our match, Northcott,” the man answered without looking at him.
“Actually, my lord, my arm is ready to take a break, if you wouldn’t mind.” Lord Clifton’s youth was revealed as he hurried away from what clearly appeared to be an awkward situation.
“What do you want, Northcott? I don’t really want to give you a moment of my time. Haven’t you taken enough of what is mine already? Rumour has it you’ve also won the lady’s hand.”
Ash ignored the man’s histrionics. “Why would you say something so completely slanderous to Lady Vigilia?”
Bertram paled but tried to brazen it out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I have plenty of reason not to believe you.”
Bertram shrugged.
“Claiming I’m a traitor is trying it a little too brown, wouldn’t you say? No one with any knowledge or sense would believe it of me. It leads me to think that there could perhaps be an element of truth in it. You were trying to paint me with your own crimes, weren’t you?”
Bertram had paled further and began to sputter as though trying to think of an objection.
“I’ve put up with your whining and complaining for years out of a misguided sense of feeling sorry for your family’s circumstances. I have never done you wrong, Bertram. Buying your father’s estate was a fair business deal. It was unentailed and he needed the money. It was of mutual benefit. There was no harm done to you or any member of your family at my hands. But rather than a thank you, all I’ve received from you ever since has been efforts to discredit me in Society. And now, you’ve stooped to slander.”
When Bertram tried to scoff and sneer at him, Ashford stepped closer, making the smaller man quail.
“The thing is, I should have put a stop to your shenanigans years ago. Perhaps it then wouldn’t have come to this. But if you’ve gotten yourself involved in treachery, there’s nothing that can be done to save you. Unless you’d like to learn a trade and earn yourself an honest living.”
“What are you threatening me with, Northcott?”
“It’s not a threat, Bertram, it’s an offer. If you’ll agree to a fresh start, I’ll send you off with one of my ships. I don’t think you’re a stupid man. Surely, you’ll be able to learn and prosper, just like I did when I went to sea as a boy. I only wish I had done it sooner for you.”
“Why would you make me such an offer? Shouldn’t you be happy to crow about one more way you’ve bested me?”
“Despite the obvious attention you’ve paid to me over the years, do you really know me so little? Or are you again painting me with your own brush?” Ash shook his head. “No, Bertram, I’m not so little that I need to declare my triumphs over those less able than me. If you don’t want to go to sea and make an honest man of yourself, I’ll be happy to turn you over to King George’s men. I’m sure they’d like to hear all about whatever you’ve gotten yourself involved in.
