Page 7 of The Earl and His Lady

“On the grounds that a woman is incapable of raising a baron or seeing to the proper education and rearing of her noble sons,” Christine said, each word dripping with disdain as she spoke. “But it is only an excuse. Virginia is perfectly capable. She believes her brother-in-law wants control of the estate and can achieve it through control of the boys.”

“Sounds nefarious,” Lucas murmured. “Though I could certainly believe it. Rank and wealth is everything to some.” He looked away from Christine Gilbert’s concerned eyes and to the house, realizing they were nearly there. “What does being here accomplish for the baroness?”

“Her brother-in-law doesn’t know where she is, for one thing,” Gilbert said.

“Is he dangerous?” Lucas asked. “Does she need protection?” No woman of genteel birth ought to have to hide away in fear.

“Virginia’s barrister friend thinks there is danger in him knowing her location,” Gilbert explained with a lift of his shoulders. “He also believes keeping her far away from Bath, and the county’s courts, will delay a decision against her while he tries other avenues of argument. But the court is leaning on Macon’s side.”

“Which is why I think you might be able to help,” Christine put in at last, stopping them before they entered the conservatory’s door to the house. “The barrister believes if she had the protection of a peer the courts would be less likely to act against her. She needs someone of influence as an ally.”

“Of course. Would she accept my help?” he asked. “Is there no one else to whom she can turn?” He released her arm and folded his, looking between the couple. Lucas liked them both immensely; he counted them as his friends, though they might be surprised his regard was that personal.

Thomas Gilbert moved to put his arm around his wife’s shoulders, looking like a man ready to do battle, so grim was his expression. The woman met his eyes briefly and then folded her hands before her in the demurest posture Lucas had ever seen her take on.

“My lord, it is not that easy. She’s been told she needs the personal protection of a male relative. Her brother has no interest in coming to her aid and she has no other close connections. The only other suggestion her barrister has shared is that she might find the protection she needs with a husband.”

Lucas stared at her, uncomprehending for a moment. His mind sorted through all the information given and came to its conclusion on the matter. Then, his honor rising to meet the challenge presented, he said, “I need to marry her.”

His heart sped up at the thought, though from fear or excitement he couldn’t say. Abigail had been gone for years, but he’d only begun thinking on the possibility of remarriage in the months since his younger brother found a wife. Accustomed to saving people, the idea of offering the protection of his name did not immediately repel him. If anything, the idea intrigued him. Could he do it? Could he marry a stranger, albeit a very beautiful stranger, to save her and her children from the cruelty of another? It would bear some thought, but why not?

The reactions of the two people before him did not match the emotion of his declaration, as they both went pale. Gilbert’s jaw dropped open as though its hinges had fallen off. Mrs. Gilbert’s eyes grew large and she covered her mouth with a hand.

“Oh no,” she said through her fingers, stepping forward and making an odd, flapping motion with her hands. “No, that isn’t what I meant at all. I only thought, with you being the right age, and knowing people, you might know someone who would be willing. I didn’t mean to imply that you—”

“Please, Calvert,” Thomas said, reaching out to take one of his wife’s hands. “That isn’t what we want. We would never expect it of you. If you knew someone who could be persuaded, or even a court where the opinion might be different—”

Lucas stepped back and regarded them with a critical eye. “Neither of you thought to suggest I should marry the lady?”

“No—”

“Not really—”

He raised one eyebrow at that and smirked at the blushing woman. “Not really?”

“It occurred to me briefly, but I didn’t think to suggest it,” she admitted, then bit her lower lip and looked up at her frowning husband. “I think you were right, Tom. I shouldn’t have said anything on the matter.” She turned penitent eyes on Lucas. “Can we please forget all of it?”

Thomas groaned and raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose again. “Yes. Please, Calvert. Forget the whole mess.” He took Christine’s arm. “And join us for tea.”

Lucas tried not to smile, but his amusement over the situation could hardly be helped. It was not all together a rare thing, to be approached by others who wished to use his influence in one matter or another, but this was most definitely the most absurd and ill-conceived attempt to win his support on a matter.

“Tea would be appreciated. Thank you.”

They led the way inside, Christine still blushing and Thomas’s expression pinched enough that Lucas felt sure the man had a sudden headache. Though tempted to laugh, he shook his head and followed, his mind already at work on the baroness’s plight.

Chapter Three

Virginia and the elder Mrs. Gilbert, Thomas’s mother, were putting the finishing touches on the tea table in front of the sofa when the door to the parlor opened. Christine and Thomas entered, arm in arm, with the strangest expressions on their faces. Virginia stood slowly, a question rising on her lips to ask what ailed them, when the earl walked in behind them.

She stilled, watching him with interest. His expression looked less ill and more amused than her cousins’. Looking from the couple to the earl, she could not imagine what would set all three of them in such strange humors, but decided it would be best to ignore it.

Mrs. Gilbert curtsied. “Oh, Lord Calvert, it is wonderful to see you again. I only just learned you had returned from London.”

He bowed to her, lower than necessary, his respectful behavior setting Virginia more at ease. “Mrs. Gilbert, it is good to see you again. I hope you do not mind my intrusion.”

“Not at all. You are always welcome in this home.” She gestured to the chair he had used a half an hour before, when he’d sat awkwardly with Virginia for less than five minutes.

“Thank you.” After the ladies sat, the gentlemen followed suit. Mrs. Gilbert poured out for each of them. “How is your garden this spring, Mrs. Gilbert?” he asked after receiving his cup.