Chapter 20
No. 3
Each Everton lady has been chosen for a particular assignment because she is the best person suited to complete the goals.
—The Everton Companion
Rules of Conduct
Markus practically floated into Everton House the next morning. Knowing Phoebe Hallsmith was going to be his wife was like a dream. He had barely slept, but it had been excitement rather than grief that had kept him up.
Gray opened the door. “It’s nice to see you again, my lord. The house has been abuzz with kind words about you this morning.”
“Good morning, Gray. I resolved to arrive early to lend Miss Hallsmith my support.” He didn’t know Lord and Lady Everton and worried they would disapprove. He hoped their opinion would not change Phoebe’s resolve to marry him.
“Miss Hallsmith is in the office with his lordship and her ladyship.”
“I will direct him, Gray.” Honoria greeted him in the foyer.
Gray bowed. “As you wish, my lady.”
“It is nice to see you again so soon, my lady.” Markus bowed over her hand.
Taking his arm, she led him down a hall to the right of the stairs. “I feel sure we shall see each other on many occasions, my lord.”
“Can I assume Miss Hallsmith shared our news?”
“She was kind enough to inform me that she has agreed to marry you. I could not be happier. I was sorry to hear about your father’s health, but it explains why you took so long in arriving.” Honoria stopped in front of large double doors.
“Thank you. It was very difficult to stay away.”
“All is well now. I wish you great joy.” She patted his arm and drifted down the hall, leaving him to enter the office on his own.
Turning to the doors, he gave a brisk knock.
“Enter,” came a deep masculine voice from within.
Markus opened the door. The Everton Domestic Society office was no different from any London townhouse. One wall was filled with books while windows faced the garden with snow on the sill. The smoke of a fine tobacco scented the air. Phoebe sat on a wooden chair with her back to the door, facing a seated woman with her dark hair pulled back in a bun. Her hands were stacked on top of the desk and she contemplated Markus with barely a change of her calm expression.
A man of middle years smoking a pipe stood at her shoulder. He rounded the desk, hand outstretched. “Lord Devonrose. Welcome to Everton House.”
Phoebe turned toward him and her stunning smile lit her face.
Markus shook Everton’s hand and bowed to the ladies. “Forgive my early arrival. I wanted to make sure all was well with Miss Hallsmith. I know she thinks the world of you both and I would hate for there to be any strife between you.”
Lady Jane smiled. “We are very happy for Miss Hallsmith as long as marrying is what she wants rather than what she feels compelled to do. The ton has a way of manipulating members of the feminine sex, my lord. We are only concerned that Miss Hallsmith has fallen victim to undue pressure.”
Biting his tongue was the only way to avoid a cutting response to Lady Jane’s directness. Of course, she was right, but he hated the idea that Phoebe felt pressured to marry him for any other reason than love. “I see. And what have you discovered?”
“Phoebe assures us she wants to marry you. So, we support her decision.” Lady Jane raised one brow.
Lord Rupert slapped Markus on the back. “My wife only worries about the ladies. They are very important to us, as we have made them family. We are very fond of Miss Hallsmith and hate the idea of her doing anything that will not lead to her ultimate happiness.”
“That is all I wish for as well,” Markus said.
Standing, Phoebe said, “I will accompany Lord Devonrose to see my brother now. I think we are done here.”
Lady Jane stood. “I only wish to say that should you change your mind before or after your wedding, you will always have a home with us, Miss Hallsmith. There is no need to ever remain unhappy in your situation.”
Did they think he was going to abuse her? Markus took a deep breath. “No harm shall ever come to Phoebe as long as I live. She and my daughter are all I care about in the world. My purpose in life will be to see to her happiness. You need not worry, my lady.”
“Yes. I am sure you will be a fine husband, my lord. I only wish for her to know she has options should things ever be different. It is an option I give to all the Everton Ladies who leave our care.” Jane rounded the desk and hugged Phoebe.
Rupert bowed over her hand. “Best of luck, my girl.”
“Thank you both for everything. You saved me when my life was a disaster. I do not know what I would have done without you and the Everton Domestic Society. I am sorry to leave you with so much work to be done.” A tear rolled down Phoebe’s cheek, but she dashed it away.
Showing straight teeth, Jane grinned. “Do not fret about us, my dear. We will survive, and other young ladies will find their way to us.”
They left Everton House and took the carriage to Mayfair where the viscount of Thornbury had long kept a townhouse.
Phoebe’s silence in the carriage worried him. “Are you all right, Phoebe?”
Eyes like clear pools, her shoulders lifted and fell with a long sigh. “I am fine. It is only that I shall miss them.”
“There is no reason you cannot visit. I already expect we shall have visits from Lady Chervil. Our marriage does not mean you must give up your friends. I would not stop you from continuing with the society if that is what will make you happy.”
She leaned against his shoulder. “That is the nicest thing you could have said. But my spot will be filled by a lady who needs Everton to survive. It would be unfair for me to remain when I have a wonderful husband and step-daughter to fill my life.”
Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he loved that she was concerned for someone else and how her moving on would help another. He hugged her tight. “I see how it works now.”
The carriage stopped and a moment later Patrick pulled the door open and lowered a step.
Markus took a deep breath and stepped down. He turned back and lifted Phoebe to the ground. “Are you nervous?”
Grinning up at him, she took his hand. “Not about Ford. It does not matter what he says. We are only here out of your sense of right and wrong. My mother’s opinions are more complicated. I would like her approval. Are you worried he will disapprove?”
It took all his will to keep his voice steady. “Ford has the power to make our getting married difficult.”
She slipped her hand into his and squeezed.
All his doubts eased away. “We had better go in. It is likely we have been noticed loitering in the street by now.”
“Indeed. Do not worry, Markus.” Taking up her skirts meant that she released his hand to climb the steps to the front door.
Immediately, he missed the connection of her slim fingers tucked inside his palm. Pulling his shoulders back, he reminded himself that he was the viscount of Devonrose. It was time he acted like it.
The door opened before they reached the top step. A tall butler with dark brown hair swept to one side and sharp brown eyes stared down his hawk nose at them. “Lady Phoebe, how are you?”
“Hello, Bertram. I am well, but it is just Miss Hallsmith now.” She tugged off her gloves and let Bertram take them and her coat. “This is Lord Devonrose. Is my brother at home?”
Giving a nod, Bertram took Markus’s coat and hat. “How do you do, my lord?”
“I will tell his lordship that you are here and wish to see him. Please wait in the rose parlor, Miss.” Bertram retreated down a hallway.
Phoebe straightened her back, lifted her chin, and walked to a door to the left of the entrance.
Following her inside, Markus admired her courage. “Do you know, I think you are the bravest woman I have ever met?”
She circled a grouping of rose damask chairs surrounding a dark wood table, then went to the window and stared out at the street. “Hardly, but thank you. It has been a while since I have been here. Since before I left to care for Grand. It feels quite strange.”
If her family were not about to join them, he would take her in his arms and comfort her. “I am sorry. It seems I am more and more selfish with every moment. I did not even think about how difficult the memories of being here would be for you. There would be nothing wrong with you taking the carriage back to Everton House, Phoebe. I will return by hack and inform you of what has happened here.”
Smiling, she turned toward him. “This was my idea, Markus. My discomfort is not your fault. As tempting as your offer sounds, I have never been one to stay and wait. I prefer to face my fate head on. Besides, most of my memories of London are from when my father was still alive and he and Mother were happy. I made my debut from this house, and even though it was not successful in the eyes of the ton, it was filled with excitement and delight.”
Unable to stop himself, he went to her and took her hands. Kissing each one for longer than was proper, he breathed in her soft scent. “I cannot be unhappy that your time in the marriage mart was unsuccessful. If you had found love when you were younger, I would not have the good fortune of standing here with you today. Again, my selfish nature rears its head, but that is how I feel.”
“Who knows why life takes its odd twists and turns, Markus. Perhaps all things happen so that we can stand together for as long as we can.” She leaned in to his embrace.
Even in her brother’s house, holding Phoebe made for a perfect moment.
They hastened to part as the door opened.
Ford filled the threshold. Eyes drawn together, hands fisted and breathing hard, he might have been a bull rather than a viscount. “What are you doing here?”
Phoebe faced him. “Ford, you know Lord Devonrose.”
Barely sparing Markus a glance, Ford stomped in and hovered over her. “You refused Durnst after I commanded you to marry him. He came here in a rage yesterday.”
Markus stepped between Phoebe and Ford. “I have come to ask for Phoebe’s hand in marriage, Hallsmith.”
Gaping, Ford stood like a statue. “Marry her? You cannot marry her. I have promised her to Durnst. I already signed over the property.”
Phoebe gasped. “Why on earth would you do that? What exactly is this arrangement you have with Gavin Durnst, Ford? Why is it so crucial that I marry a man who dislikes me and broke our engagement?”
A low growl rumbled from deep inside Ford. “Have you ruined yourself with this, this drunk? I will kill you both.”
What had been curiosity over Ford’s urgency for Phoebe to marry an untitled landowner transformed to rage at his threat. Markus slipped into his old role as a spy for the crown. A sense of calm swept through him. “Think very carefully before you issue such a threat to me or those I care for. I am not a man to be called names or toyed with. I do not know what trouble you have gotten into and what Durnst has to do with it, but no harm will come to Miss Hallsmith. Do I make myself clear?”
Ford took several steps back and fear flashed in his eyes. He paled, and there were several heartbeats where he might have been thinking straight. But it passed. “I will never allow you to marry my sister. She is mine and I will marry her to whomever I choose. And I have chosen Durnst.”
“Why?” Phoebe asked.
“That is none of your concern.” Ford propped his fists on his hips.
“If you intend to marry me off to an imbecile, the least you can do is tell me why.” Gripping the back of a rose damask chair, her knuckles whitened.
“I am not required to explain myself to you.” Ford crossed his arms and his jaw ticked.
“I will tell you.” Phoebe’s mother glided into the room, her blue-gray dress whooshing past the door and Ford.
“Mother?”
Lucretia Hallsmith sat and gestured for Phoebe to take one of the other seats. Once she complied, her mother sighed. “Your brother has made an ass of himself. He managed to go into debt to Mr. Durnst and refuses to discuss the matter with Miles. As such, he has taken it upon himself to resolve the issue by offering my lands as payment.”
Phoebe blinked several times and fiddled with the lace at her wrists. “I see, and while it is reprehensible, what does that have to do with me?”
Shaking her head, Lucretia sighed. “Mr. Durnst ended your engagement because he was courting Lady Ann Forsyth. I suppose he had high hopes of marrying her and getting what he wanted, plus her substantial dowry. Of course, Lady Ann is the daughter of an earl, and when their tryst was discovered, her father put an end to it. By that time, Mr. Durnst had ended his engagement to you and you had returned home. Having nothing, he cleverly engaged your brother in a card game. It seems Mr. Durnst is quite skilled. That was when he managed to gamble your brother out of a tidy sum and made the deal to have not only the property but you as well. Marrying the daughter of a viscount, while not as advantageous as that of an earl, would still get him in most of the parlors in London. He is quite the social climber.”
“Does Miles know of all this?” Phoebe’s voice shook.
Mother shook her head. “Of course not. Miles would never have allowed it and would have told you about the scheme, ruining Ford’s plans.”
Miles stepped around the doorjam and into the room. “He knows about it now.”
While Markus held his tongue and waited for the entire story to come out, his amazement at how low Ford Hallsmith would stoop escalated. Selling his own sister to pay a stupid debt rather than admit his idiocy to his brother.
Red-faced and bug-eyed, Ford might have been about to suffer apoplexy. They should be so lucky. “None of this matters.” He pointed his fat finger at Phoebe. “You will marry Durnst because I command it.”
Having enough, Markus stepped into the fray. “I beg to differ. You cannot force her to marry where she does not wish. If you will calm down, I might be willing to help you out of this mess for the sake of your mother and brothers. As for you, you are vile, and I have a mind to give you a sound thrashing.”
“You, thrash me? You are nothing but a drunk about to lose his inheritance.” Ford’s face twisted and he spat on the rug.
Lucretia gasped. “Ford, please.”
“You gave up any rights over me when you disowned me. I have been publicly disinherited. Why on earth would you think you can tell me what to do?”
Ford ignored her. A sickening smirk tugged at his lips. He stepped toward Markus with his hands fisted. Rearing back with his right hand…
Slowing down the attack, Markus shot his hand straight into Ford’s throat. While Ford gripped his neck and struggled to draw breath, Markus swept his legs out from under him.
Ford went down like an old tree and lay still on the floor his face pressed into the thick Persian rug.
Screaming, Lucretia went to him.
Markus leaned over and checked to make sure the idiot was still breathing. “He’s just unconscious. He will be up and ranting in a few minutes. He really should keep up on his gossip. Then he would have known that I have given up drink and with Phoebe’s help, have saved my fortune and estate.”
Taking his mother’s shoulders, Miles lifted her from the carpet. “He is fine, Mother. And moreover, he deserved a far worse thrashing. I am sure we could have paid his debt in many ways. He was just manipulated by Durnst.” He turned to Phoebe, who stared wide-eyed. “If I had known any of this plot, Phoebe, I would have put an end to it. I hope you know that I would never wish for anything other than your happiness.”
“I do not know what I would have done if you were in on this scheme, Miles.” She walked into his open arms. “I am going to marry Markus, and there is nothing any of you can do about it. That is, if he will still have me after Ford’s ungentlemanly behavior.”
Filled with pride and love, Markus admired her strength and the way she would defy anyone to be with him.
Miles met his gaze. “From the look on his face, I am certain he still wishes to marry you.”
Late morning sun glinted off the window, illuminating Phoebe like an angel as she turned to face him. Her smile was more brilliant than the sun and Markus’s heart expanded until his chest could barely contain it. “Shall we go and get a license then, Phoebe?”
Lucretia stepped forward. “Ford can still make it very difficult for you to marry. He will make protests with the church and the king. He is not beyond ruining you both.”
“Mother is right.” Miles rubbed his chin.
Taking Phoebe’s hands, Markus drew her forward. The look of complete trust on her face nearly undid him. “I know this will cause a scandal, but might I suggest we run off to Scotland and get married?”
She blinked and her mouth dropped open. “You want to marry at Gretna Green?”
“Splendid idea,” Miles said.
“Miles.” Slapping her son’s arm, Lucretia stepped in. “That is no way to begin a life together, sneaking away in the dead of night with your brother chasing after you.”
A groan rose from Ford.
“Perhaps we should speak in the foyer, Phoebe.” Markus tugged her hand and she followed him out of the parlor.
The high transom windows allowed shards of light to streak through the wood paneled entrance hall.
Miles and Lucretia followed and closed the door with the waking Ford yelling vulgarities inside.
It was a risk to ask her to run off and marry him before her brother could make them suffer. Markus took a deep breath. “You may already know that one of my closest friends has a rather large castle in Scotland.”
“Kerburgh?” Miles asked.
“Exactly. Michael and Elinor have a chapel on their estate. Going there would put Ford off our trail.”
Phoebe stared at her feet.
“I know it is not the grand wedding that every English woman dreams of. If it were my choice, I would shout our marriage to all of London in the biggest way. But at least, this way you would be my wife without delay, and all I want is to be your husband.”
Tears shone in her eyes. “I would marry you in a shack in the woods, Markus. Going to a castle in Scotland sounds perfect. When do we leave?”
Ignoring that her mother and brother were only feet from them, he dragged her into his arms and held her tight. “We should leave today before Ford has time to take action against us.”
“I am coming with you,” Lucretia said. She held her shoulders and crossed her arms like a soldier who would not be denied.
“Mother?”
In a softer tone. “You are my only daughter. I will see you happily married. I am sorry I let this plot of Ford’s go so far. I assumed that if you said yes to Mr. Durnst once, you must have had tender feelings for him. I can see now I was mistaken.”
“We can take my carriage, Mother, and follow them.” Miles grinned and clapped his hands.
“Are you eloping with us too, Hallsmith?” Markus asked.
Nodding, Miles slapped his back. “It seems it’s to be a family elopement. We shall pack our things and meet you on the high road north. In fact, it is probably best if we stay here until Ford wakes and put him off your trail.”
Taking Phoebe’s hand, he nodded to Miles and bowed to Lucretia.
Phoebe hugged her mother. “I will see you soon, Mother. Thank you.”
Markus and Phoebe rushed out to his carriage still waiting in the street. There was much to do and little time. Once inside, he leaned in and cupped Phoebe’s cheeks. “Are you certain this is what you want? I can find another way for us to be married in London with all the frills you could want. I have friends in high places, and they can help me make that happen.”
Lips parted as if to speak, she leaned forward and brushed her top lip over his bottom lip. She ran her tongue along the crease, then nipped his upper.
Love, desire, joy, and a thousand other emotions warred for position inside Markus as he wrapped her in his arms and devoured her mouth. “I just want you to be happy.”
Fingers clutching his hair, she moaned his name. “I am happy. I do not care how or where we marry as long as I am yours and you are mine. I only need Arwen to pack me a few things and we can leave London within the hour.”
The notion of Phoebe being his wife sent his pulse throbbing to the point of discomfort. It was wonderful.
Dobson poked his head in the window. “Sir, where to?”
“Back to Everton House.”
With a nod, he jumped into the seat and snapped the horses into moving.
Markus folded Phoebe’s hand into his. “I’ll take you to Everton House, then go to my townhouse and gather my things.”
Relaxing against the carriage bench, she sighed. “This will be an adventure. Imagine, Phoebe Hallsmith eloping to Scotland. No one would believe it.”
“I don’t see why not. You are by far the bravest woman I know.”
* * * *
Phoebe ran up the main staircase at Everton House like a hoyden on a rampage. She found Arwen and quickly told her what was happening.
Arwen grabbed her in a hug. “I’m so happy for you, Miss. I knew it would all come out right.”
“You may be the only one who thought so. Can you pack our things? I have to find Lady Chervil.” She could not leave without a word to her friend.
Efficient as ever, Arwen shooed her out the door with one hand while opening the wardrobe with the other.
Phoebe caught her breath outside Honoria’s bedroom door before she knocked.
“Come in.” Honoria sang from inside.
Peeking her head around the door, Phoebe was suddenly nervous.
Honoria sat up on a chaise near the window. “Oh, my dear girl. How are you? Tell me all the details? When is the wedding to be? Did you get a special license? I’ll bet that horrid brother of yours was shocked. But your mother must be pleased.”
“My brother refused.”
Jumping from the soft chaise, Honoria colored and her eyes bulged. “He refused. How dare he. You’ll forgive me saying so, but Ford Hallsmith is an ass.”
A bubble of laughter forced its way out of Phoebe despite Honoria’s horror.
“I see nothing funny. What are we going to do?” She spread her arms wide.
“Markus and I are going to elope this very day.”
Honoria plopped down on the chaise. “Gretna Green?”
“No. Kerburgh. But you mustn’t tell anyone. Ford is enraged and we are determined to throw him off our trail. Mother and Miles are delaying him before they follow in Miles’s carriage.” It was like a storybook. Well, only if they had a happy ending.
“Kerburgh Castle.” Honoria tossed off the lace wrapper covering her sensible day dress of blue and gray muslin. It was a rare sight for her to be so unremarkably dressed.
“I think this is the first time I have seen you in such a costume.” Phoebe admired how respectable she looked.
“I had a feeling today would be the day for it and I was right.” Honoria pulled the cord for her maid.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, of course I’m going with you, my dear girl. You cannot think after all this I’ll not see you properly wed and sweet Markus too. The two of you deserve each other and will be very happy.”
“You want to elope with us too?” The notion that her family and friends would support such an outrageous adventure brought tears to her eyes. She swallowed down the lump in her throat.
Honoria hugged her and kissed her cheek. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”