Page 65 of Almost a Countess

“Duchess,” Finn began, “Ithink ye misunderstood—”

“Excellent!” The glee inhis lordship’s voice brought Dora’s head up.

She sent a confused look to Finn, whoshrugged and shook his head. “Why is that a good thing,uncle?”

“Because even thoughDowning may no’ wish the marriage tae go forward, he will wish evenless for that scandal tae get about. If his daughter is increasing,he will have nae choice but tae let ye marry.” With a jaunty smile,Abernethy drained his tea.

“Increasing?” The shockmade Dora’s voice into a squeak.

“Dinna think about that,sweetheart.” Putting his arm around her shoulders, Finn pulled herclose. “It matters no’ if ye carry my child. We will be marriedlong ere that becomes a consideration.”

“But the prospect that youare increasing is why you will not need to elope to Scotland.” Heraunt had a most satisfied smile on her face. “If your fatherbelieved you were unmarriageable because you jilted Lord Trevor,how much more would you be now that you’ve taken alover?”

Flinching at that bald statement, Dorawanted nothing more than to race through the bedroom door andburrow beneath the covers. Ignore everything that was happeninguntil she could make some sense of it. Too much had occurred thismorning for her to comprehend it all.

“So we are in accord, LordAbernethy?” Aunt Mimi buttered a bit of toast and slathered it withmarmalade, just as if she were eating a leisurely breakfast athome. Not deciding the Fate of Dora’s life to come.

“We are, Duchess. Shall Iwrite tae Lord Downing or will ye?”

“I will write to him anddraw him from Wiltshire back to London with talk of the impendingmarriage.” Her aunt’s eyes twinkled. “I simply will not specify whoDora is reputedly marrying. Once he is in Town, you and your nephewwill call upon him, make him cognizant of the facts, and arrangefor settlements to be signed.”

Dora had known her aunt possessed awide streak of deviousness, but never had it been so apparent asnow. One had to wonder if she’d given her and Finn that eveningtogether on purpose to gain this advantage.

“An admirable ambush,Duchess.” The look of esteem in Lord Abernethy’s eyes was tingedwith something else as well. Something much warmer, it seemed. “Iwill be most happy tae be able tae claim kinship wi’ye.”

Aunt Mimi’s cheeks pinkened, but shetossed her head and finished her toast. “Our next task will be tokeep these two from repeating their indiscretion until their vowsare spoken.”

“I see nae reason weshould be sae restrained,” Finn spoke up quickly. “As we will bemarried, one way or the other, why does it matter what wedae?”

Dora’s ears perked up. That was true.Even if she and Finn hadn’t anticipated their wedding night, if heraunt and his uncle thought they had, it shouldn’t matter what theydid now.

“Because we live in acivilized society, young man.” Her aunt’s voice rang out crisply.“And while it is necessary for Dora’s father to know you haveanticipated the wedding, it is imperative that no one else does.And if you continue to meet freely, Society will not only suspect,but they will also gossip about such scandalous behavior. Would youlike for Dora’s image to be caricatured and published in everyscandal sheet in Town?”

Dora shuddered, and Finn shook hishead violently. “Nae, nae. Never would we want that tae happen.” Hesighed and took her hand. “We’ll need tae restrain ourselves, mylove.” Then lowered his voice to a whisper. “Or be very, verycareful.”

“I believe thesenegotiations are complete then.” Aunt Mimi rose, bringing everyoneelse to their feet. “We will leave for London immediately. Oncethere, Dora and I will reside at my townhouse, pending her father’sarrival. I assume Lord Aberfoyle will reside with you, my lord,unless he has his own establishment in Town?”

“The lad can stay with mein Belgravia. Best tae have him underfoot where I can keep an eyeon him. Once we speak tae Downing, we can proceed with the weddingplans.” Lord Abernethy bowed. “I am delighted tae have met ye,Duchess. I look forward tae working with ye closely on this littlescheme. Quite a diversion from my usual politicalactivities.”

“Delighted as well, mylord.” Aunt Mimi sent the marquess a flirtatious glance. “I lookforward to our next meeting with great anticipation.”

Dora and Finn exchanged a scandalizedlook, but the marquess strode out of the parlor and Aunt Mimiturned to them.

“The carriage should bereadied, and we must be off. London and your future await.” Sheswept from the room, calling back over her shoulder, “Come along,the both of you. Tempus fugit.”

Chapter 27

“Absolutely out of thequestion.” Lord Downing was living up to his reputation as far asFinn could see. The little rotund man in the gray wig—a replica ofthe one Finn had worn when impersonating the viscount atBromley—had grudgingly agreed to see Finn and his uncle. Now,having laid his suit before the blustery man, he could see why Dorahad held out little hope he would agree to the marriage.

“My nephew is a mosteligible parti, Lord Downing.” The man had tried UncleAbernethy’s soul from the moment they arrived and were shown into asmall, dim receiving room. “He is more than financially sound—I washis guardian and in charge o’ the purse strings from the time heinherited the title at age eight until he reached his majority fouryears ago. Despite his youth, Aberfoyle is as steady as they come,nae vices tae speak o’, and he has a genuine fondness for yerdaughter. There is nae sound argument ye can give that he is no’ aperfectly acceptable suitor.”

“I will determine who isand who is not an acceptable candidate for my daughter’s hand,Abernethy.” Downing strode to the sideboard, poured a small amountinto a glass, and drank it down. No invitation to join him wasforthcoming. Inwardly, Finn ached for what Dora must have had toput up with for so many years. “After much deliberation, I havedecided on a man of impeccable character, with strong ties to ourfamily, who will take my willful daughter in hand and make certainshe is cared for and protected from her own undisciplinedactions.”

Scotland was beginning to look liketheir only option. They’d already been here an hour, and Downingwasn’t budging a bit.

“If ye mean Sir HarryWalters, my lord, I think ye may have been misinformed.” UncleAbernethy sat, hands on his cane, impassive as stone.

“Why do you think I speakof Sir Harry?” Downing whirled around to face them.