Page 16 of The Lyon’s Paw

“But to leave such a sum in the hands of a young woman who cannot know how to manage it…”

“Would you not have known how to manage it, Mother, had you had such a sum at your disposal at the age of one and twenty?” He raised an eyebrow at her, very interested in how she might answer. His mother had always been a force to be reckoned with—not unlike his new wife if he thought about it.

After a long, hard glare, his mother looked away. “Very well. It is done, in any case, so I hope she does have some skill in financial matters. When will Miss Edgerton…” His mother began, then stopped herself. “I beg your pardon, Geoffrey, when will we meet the new Lady Longford?”

“We have some business to take care of with her solicitor early in the day, then she will continue to reside with her aunt until I come to fetch her home.” A reprieve, albeit a short one before he would have to actually live under the same roof as his wife. Lord, just thinking the word sounded wrong. What appetite Geoffrey possessed suddenly vanished.

“I shall set my maid to packing our things first thing in the morning.” His mother sipped her wine, then picked up her soup spoon again. “I am certain you will wish her to occupy the countess’s bed chamber next to yours at Longford.”

“It is the custom and we do not want it to look odd.” He feared his wife was going to have something to say about it, but he’d have to persuade her his interests did not lie anywhere in that vicinity. “Once we return home, she should occupy the countess’s apartments and we can set you up in the Peacock Room.” He hated the thought of his mother being supplanted by Miss Edgerton, but it couldn’t be helped. “I shall give orders immediately to have the Dowager Cottage readied for you.” Although if he and his bride sailed for America within the next few weeks, that move would be moot.

“Thank you, Geoffrey. I believe that will be best.” His mother sipped her wine, then glanced at the footman. “You may remove the soup, James, and bring in the next dish.” She returned her attention to Geoffrey. “So tell me, my dear, how did you come to find out about Miss Edgerton’s dilemma?”

With a sigh, Geoffrey took up his glass again and drained it. Dinner—and its attendant inquisition—would be a protracted affair tonight, he feared.

“Now to Hoares in Fleet Street.” Diana spoke to Lord Longford as he helped her into his carriage that had delivered them to Mr. Boniface’s office earlier this morning. Much to her surprise, his lordship had been most accommodating today. He’d called for her at ten o’clock, assisted her into and out of the carriage instead of leaving it to his tiger. And he’d been very attentive to her as they entered the solicitor’s office with her on his arm. His attentions had rather helped settle her, for she’d been as nervous as a cat all morning, dreading the meeting with Mr. Boniface, fearing he would question her marriage and refuse to relinquish her uncle’s money to her.

Apparently, she’d worried for nothing. Perhaps it was simply that the paper—their marriage lines written in Lord Longford’s surprisingly clear hand and duly signed by the vicar—removed any doubt as to the validity of the marriage. Or it could have been the intensity of Lord Longford’s stare that made Mr. Boniface hurriedly agree that the terms of the will had been met.

She now possessed a letter from the solicitor authorizing Hoares to transfer the money from her uncle’s account into an account in her name. To that end, she had also brought the settlement papers signed by Lord Longford, just in case the banker had doubts about who would control the funds.

As they strode into the vast stone building, Diana’s gaze rose, taking in the towering height of the room before she lowered her head to stare at the busy entry hall of the bank. Larger than many a ballroom she’d danced in, Hoare’s was delightfully airy, the morning sun streaming in through the myriad twinkling windowpanes. The area bustled with gentlemen in morning coats, many with ladies dressed in the first stare of fashion on their arms.

For the first time Diana wished she’d had clothes made for her already so she could look the part of a prosperous lady. Her aunt had suggested many times that she visit the modiste before she inherited her fortune, but Diana had feared such an action would tempt Fate, and so had refused. They’d had clothes made for her for the Season of course, and why that seemed different she wasn’t sure, but it had. Now, unfortunately, the spring and summer wardrobe wouldn’t do for October.

The gown she wore today was one she’d owned for several years, serviceable and plain. Lord Longford had looked her up and down but said nothing save “Good morning” before escorting her to the carriage. Still, she’d feared there’d been judgement in that glance. He must wonder at her appearance after seeing her dressed so well during the Season. More than ever, she regretted that she’d be leaving shortly for the country. Otherwise, she and Aunt Frances could have found a modiste who could sew like the wind and bespeak her some decent clothing before she met Lord Longford’s family.

Lord Longford led them over to a bank of railings and spoke to a young man in a coat and hat. “Lord Longford to see Mr. Hoare.”

A hush went round the room, although her husband seemed to pay no attention to it.

“Mr. Hoare, my lord?” The young man looked shocked, his eyes agog.

“Mr. Charles Hoare, for whom this institution is named, sir.” Lord Longford’s tone was only a few degrees above icy.

“Do you have an appointment, my lord?” The man’s voice was hushed so Diana could scarcely hear him. His fear, whether of Lord Longford or Mr. Hoare, was almost palpable.

“I do not, however, I believe Mr. Hoare will see me. There is an account that needs to be opened and I wish no one else to do it.” Her husband’s gaze never left the bank clerk, much to that young man’s dismay.

“Very well. May I have your name, my lord?”

“Lord Longford, but more importantly it is Lady Longford he will wish to see.” He stared straight into the man’s terrified eyes. “He will know the name of her uncle, Mr. George Edgerton, in any case.”

“Very good, my lord.” The clerk backed away, then hurried down the row of clerks waiting on other customers, turned a corner and vanished.

“Do you often have that effect on servants, my lord? If so, I don’t know how anything gets done in your house. Your staff must live in terror of you.” His little display had actually managed to put Diana more at ease. Her husband was a formidable man. One who could help her navigate the unfamiliar territory of the ton.

Lord Longford chuckled. “If you think I’m terrifying, wait until you meet my mother.”

The smile froze on Diana’s face. She could have done without that reminder just now. Accepting the appalling idea of life with Lord Longford was bad enough. The added presence of his mother might send her running back to Aunt Frances. She glanced up at her husband, whose smile had lingered, and was oddly comforted. If she had battles to fight, she understood she had an admirable ally in Lord Longford.

The twittering clerk returned and showed them into a palatial office at the end of the marble-floored corridor. The room featured stark white walls with dark furnishings, including a massive desk at its center behind which sat an imposing older gentleman in a dark suit who watched them as they entered, his eyes dark and glittering. He then rose to his feet and bowed. “Lord Longford, Lady Longford, welcome to Hoares.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Hoare.” Lord Longford’s voice sounded much more genial than it had to the clerk, still there was an undertone of impatience that Diana wondered at. Was her new husband so powerful he could show disrespect to a man such as Mr. Hoare, who wielded considerable power of a different sort? “We have come from Mr. Boniface who should have made you aware of our business here today.”

“Indeed, my lord, I received a note from him yesterday, advising me of Miss Edgerton’s impending nuptials. May I offer my felicitations to you and Lady Longford?” The older man looked eagerly at them both.

When her husband didn’t speak immediately, Diana took hold of herself and smiled at the gentleman. “Thank you, Mr. Hoare, on behalf of myself and my husband.” She looked up at Longford, whose mouth seemed pinched. “That is kind of you.”