Eleven
“Are you all right, sir? You look rather tired.”
“I’m fine,” Victor said, stifling a yawn. “I just got in late last night, that’s all.” He could smell a pot of coffee brewing elsewhere in his office and he raised an eyebrow at his assistant. “Bradley, I thought I told you never to make any of that again.”
“I’m sorry sir, but I seem to have developed a taste for it.” Bradley handed Victor a stack of papers. “There’s the files you asked for.”
“Thank you.”
“If I might ask, what were you doing that got you in so late?” He grinned at Victor. “Spent too much time at the pub? Took a young lady home?”
“My train got in late from London,” Victor said with a smirk. It seemed he’d gotten quite the reputation in town already and in spite of Bradley’s impertinence he couldn’t quite bring himself to say he’d been somewhere he shouldn’t. The last thing he wanted was to get into a discussion with the boy about his private life.
He had always been able to separate his amorous affairs from his work, even if the people he worked with were inclined to gossip about him behind his back. It rarely troubled Victor and often did him some good. There were plenty of women who wanted a man who they knew could please them properly. Idle gossip had brought him some of his most satisfying nights, most of them with no attachment whatsoever. That was how he preferred it, and it rarely got messy.
“Oh, I see. Is that where you’ve been?”
“Yes,” Victor said. “I visited with a judge friend of mine, then went and saw my sister. It was a pleasant visit for the most part.”
“Does your sister live in London as well?” Bradley picked up the wastebasket near the side of the desk and started clearing envelopes and wadded-up papers from Victor’s desk. It seemed like everything that had come across the desk since he’d gotten back was garbage and he was grateful to Bradley for taking care of it. Perhaps he would make a good assistant out of him yet.
“She does. I don’t get to visit her as often as I’d like but she---“
“Mr. Pembroke!” The secretary rushed in, interrupting him. Victor turned to her with a frown. “I’m sorry sir, but there’s a woman here to see you. I told her she’d have to make an appointment but she started coming back on her own.” Before Victor could do so much as ask the woman’s name, Cordelia Whittemore appeared in the doorway, glaring at him.
“You!”
“It’s fine, Miss Wright,” Victor said, waving her away. “I’ll see Lady Whittemore.” He turned to Bradley. “Could you help Miss Wright clear my schedule of appointments this morning? This matter needs my immediate attention.”
“Of course, sir,” both Miss Wright and Bradley said at the same time. They looked at one another then left the office together, Bradley going with a knowing smirk. When the door was closed, Victor rose from behind the desk with a smile.
“Lady Whittemore, what an honor it is to have you come to visit me. I quite honestly intended to come speak to you at your estate but I only just got in from London last night.”
“Oh, will you men never tire of hearing your own voices?” She pressed a hand to her forehead. “I know about my father-in-law’s will and I know you’ve been keeping Arthur’s secret for him as well. What sort of solicitor would let such a ridiculous condition be set in a will?” Her voice was getting louder with each word and Victor came around the desk, hoping to soothe her.
“You have every right to be angry,” Victor said. “I know in your place I probably would be.”
“You have no idea what you’d do in my place,” Cordelia shouted. “You’ve never been remotely close to being in my place! Because of you I’m trapped in this, this joke of a marriage until you can find a way to get me out of it that doesn’t leave me begging for coins on the street!”
“I know you’re upset, but may I please get a word in edgewise?” He raised an eyebrow at Cordelia and she continued to look daggers at him but was silent. “First things first, I had nothing to do with this will. My former associate, the owner of this firm, wrote that will with the late Lord Whittemore before I even came to Greenley. I had no part in it, and no knowledge of the thing until Arthur brought it up to me. As it stands, the will is legally binding but I’m working with a friend of mine who is a judge to try and have the condition dismissed as the ravings of a dying man. As my former partner is deceased himself, I have no qualms against telling a judge that he allowed Lord Whittemore to set the condition without considering the legal ramifications of it.” He looked at Cordelia. “Am I being too technical for you?”
“But then you know about Arthur,” Cordelia said, completely ignoring his jab at her. “You know why he’s trying to divorce me.”
“I know he wants to divorce you,” Victor said. “He’s never said why. I’ve heard rumors, though. That was why I’ve been trying to talk to you alone. I wanted to know if there was any truth to the rumor and I wanted to ask you directly. I was attempting to be discreet, just in case you didn’t know.” He looked at her closely. Around the edges of Cordelia’s anger he could see something more. Dread, perhaps, or fear. “You do know, then.”
“What exactly is it that you think you know?” Cordelia suddenly sounded cautious and Victor went around her to lock the door, not wanting his staff to come in and hear them talking, even by accident. The last thing he wanted to do was have her situation talked about as his sister’s was. “What are you doing?”
“I said our conversation was to be private. You never know what sort of woman might come barging in shouting at me about legal matters.” He wasn’t sure if this attempt to make her smile would work, but the very corners of Cordelia’s mouth twitched. She forced them down into a frown again, but he could see she was relenting. “Now then, let’s clear the air. I’ll tell you what it is I’ve heard and you can confirm or deny it as you see fit. Keep in mind that if I’m to help you I’ll need the truth in the end, though.”
“All right,” Cordelia said. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, and for a moment Victor was struck by the lacy look of her lashes against her lower lids. When she opened them again, the chocolate brown color was warm enough to drown in. “Tell me.”
“I’m sure it’s no secret to anyone that I frequent the pub here in town,” he said. “As well as the pub in the neighboring city and Elston, where your sister Bridget and the General live.”
“Yes,” Cordelia said, rolling her eyes. “My sister has heard about your leisure activities. It’s none of my concern what you do in your free time.”
“I don’t just hang about in pubs for the beer and women, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Victor said, annoyed that he had to explain himself to Cordelia. “They’re an excellent source of information. People let quite a lot slip when they’re drunk.”
“I’m aware,” she said, frost coating her words. “Please continue.”
“I heard from a gentleman here in town that Arthur has been seen in the company of young men,” Victor said. “Several different young men, I’m afraid. He brings them to drink and they leave together, and no one is sure where they go exactly but there have been plenty of inferences.”
“I’m sure there have. And I’m fairly certain I know where they go,” she said, though now the cold tone of her voice was directed at the man who was not in the room instead of the man who stood before her. It was a relief, in a way. He hadn’t been alone with Cordelia since she ordered him out of her house and for her to be mad at someone else was a welcome change. “I’m telling you this in confidence, Mr. Pembroke. I don’t wish to hear it spread around town.”
“You may have noticed I’m a solicitor,” he said. “If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s keeping secrets.” He made a schoolyard ‘cross my heart’ gesture over his chest and relief washed over him as Cordelia burst out laughing. She immediately slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “That was completely inappropriate of me. I don’t know what came over me, I honestly don’t.”
“You’re under a fair amount of stress,” Victor said, smiling at her. “People sometimes do strange things under stress. Please feel free to speak your mind in front of me. Rest assured I won’t tell anyone outside this room.”
“I walked in on him today,” Cordelia said, lowering her voice so that he had to come a little closer to her. “With another man. He brought him into our house and was with him in his bedroom.” She looked away a little. “A young man. Neither of them were completely dressed.”
“Ah,” Victor said. “I see.”
“It’s not the first time,” she went on, and now her words were coming out in a rush. “When we first got married we had some, well, problems with intimacy. I assumed it was my fault. I didn’t even think twice when he said we should have separate rooms, everyone in my family does, but when we had just moved into the manor I went to see if he needed anything and walked in on him and another man.” Her face was beet red as she spoke this time. “The young man was on his knees and---“
“Enough,” Victor said, holding up a hand. “I’m fairly certain I can guess what was going on. And while I have no moral objection to what your husband has been doing so long as it doesn’t harm anyone, it is certainly harming you. You are perfectly within your rights to ask for a divorce and even without representation I’m certain a judge would grant it.”
“I feel there’s another shoe about to drop, sir.”
“I’m afraid so. As you said, if he divorces you he loses the entire estate. The money will go to a charity of the late Lord Whittemore’s choosing and Arthur’s title will be rescinded. He’d be lucky not to end in a poorhouse, especially since he has no skills to speak of. And while I’m almost certain what becomes of your philandering husband is of no great concern to you, you must consider what will become of you.” The smile had disappeared from Cordelia’s face and she sighed deeply.
“Yes, I know that much. Arthur mentioned it himself. As selfish as it sounds, I don’t wish to go back and live with my parents. I love them dearly but I just have a feeling that they’ll find a way to blame me.”
“Parents can be difficult,” Victor agreed. “It’s almost criminal the way society treats women in your situation. There’s nothing you’ve done wrong, my dear, and even if it means abandoning Arthur’s cause in favor of yours I’ll fight anyone who says you have.”
“You said you’re working on it, though,” Cordelia said, and he didn’t think he was imagining the blush that was on her cheeks. “You’re trying to find a way around the condition. If you could, that means he would have the means to take care of me after we get divorced?”
“That’s absolutely true,” Victor said. “The judge friend that I just met with is asking a friend of his who sits on the High Court. It might require assistance from the late Lord Whittemore’s physician though. He would need to testify to the man’s mental state, give evidence that he wasn’t in his right mind, that sort of thing. Unfortunately, testimony like that can be very hard to come by. It might require a bit of persuasion.”
“Persuasion?”
“Of the monetary sort. Arthur has given me reason to believe that he wouldn’t have a problem with that, Lord knows he has enough money. As much as it pains me to say it, your best course of action right now would be to stay with him until I can get this figured out.” Victor shook his head. “I’m sorry I don’t have better news for you. Does any of your staff suspect?”
“They probably do,” Cordelia said. “I know for a fact that Patricia does, she walked in on them. She told me in confidence but I already knew.” Her jaw tightened in a very unladylike manner and he wondered if she knew she was doing it. “You and she can probably talk all about it the next time you come to the estate.”
“That was a mistake,” Victor said. “I was very drunk and she looked very pretty. I assure you nothing will happen again.” He gave her the sort of dashing smile that usually brought women to his bed. “Besides, I generally try to confine my affairs to ladies of a higher station.”
“Patricia is a lovely girl,” Cordelia said abruptly. “In fact, I’m making her my lady’s maid. How dare you say that about her?”
“I meant nothing unkind,” Victor said, holding up his hands in surrender. “It’s just that I try to get to know ladies who are single and a bit older. I don’t often seduce the serving maid. I apologize for my rudeness, Lady Whittemore. It won’t happen again.”
“I should hope not.” She sighed. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Pembroke. I don’t believe I’ve solved anything but you’ve given me hope.” She opened her handbag. “I suppose I should pay you for your time. Solicitors get an hourly wage, correct?”
“Put that away,” Victor said, reaching out to cover her hand with his own. “Arthur already pays me enough and I’m not going to take money from a woman who came to me for advice.” He realized she wasn’t wearing gloves, which meant she had probably left her house in a hurry. Her hand was warm and soft and he closed his fingers around it. Cordelia looked up at him in surprise but didn’t pull away. “Are you going home right away?”
“I don’t know,” Cordelia said. “Most likely. I’m sure I look a fright.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You look just fine.” He took in the shape of her face, the few strands of hair that had escaped her chignon, then the mud on the hem of her dress. “Perhaps you could use a bit of cleanup but on the whole you’re quite lovely.”
“Hmph.” She looked like she wasn’t convinced, but now he was certain she was blushing. Taking the chance of a lifetime, he reached out to her and touched her face.
“There’s nothing quite so beautiful as a woman with color on her cheeks.” Victor lightly stroked her cheek and she leaned into his touch. He wondered how long it had been since anyone had touched her like this. Surely Arthur hadn’t been doing it much, if at all. The only affection he’d seen the man display toward his wife was a chaste kiss on the cheek.
“This is most improper,” she said, though she didn’t pull away. Victor smiled down at her and moved closer until he could feel the warmth coming off her body.
“Oh yes?”
“Most definitely.”
“Then this is going to absolutely scandalize you.” Victor leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Cordelia’s eyes widened in surprise but once again she didn’t pull away from him. He kissed her gently at first, and when she responded he pulled her into his arms and let his embrace become more passionate. He put a hand at the small of her back and pulled her to him, then brushed his lips along the side of her neck. Cordelia leaned her head back and her unpinned hat tumbled off the back of her head.
“Oh!” She turned to look at the hat, which was somewhat squashed on top. Victor was almost certain the fall from her head hadn’t done that, but he let go of her and leaned down to pick it up. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know what came over me!”
“I know what it was,” Victor said. He dusted the hat off and set it lightly on her head. “It was the same thing that came over me, only this time I wasn’t able to control myself. I’ve wanted to kiss you since the moment I met you, Lady Whittemore.”
“I should go,” she said, taking a step back. “I should really go. Before I do something foolish.” Before Victor could ask what she meant by foolish, she went to the door. She turned the knob and found it locked, and Victor came up behind her.
“Here,” he said, moving closely enough so that his body was lightly touching hers, then reached around her to unlock it. He managed to suppress the urge to put his arms around her and stepped away quickly when Cordelia opened the door. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin her reputation, especially if she was going to be getting a divorce. Victor didn’t care much what people said about him, but he didn’t want them to talk badly about Cordelia.
“Thank you for your time,” she said, not meeting his eyes. “I’ll try to be patient.” He didn’t get a chance to respond before she hurried down the hall, and Victor watched until she disappeared around the corner before going into his office and closing the door.
In spite of the situation, he found himself grinning as he sat behind his desk. It was perfect timing, as Bradley came in almost immediately and he didn’t want the boy to see what state he was in. Between being so close to Cordelia that his body was on hers for a moment and the extremely improper thoughts were going through his head, he was more than a little aroused.
“Is everything all right with Lady Whittemore? She looked awfully upset when she came in and left in a hurry.” There was a letter in his hand and he passed it across the table to Victor.
“She’s better now,” Victor said, picking up the letter opener. “I gave her some legal advice and she has an idea of how to handle things. It’s why I became a solicitor, Bradley. To help beautiful women in their time of need.”
“I’ll have to get some pointers from you about women, sir. You seem to know what to do to please them.” He smiled. “Would you like something to drink? Tea, perhaps?”
“Yes, that would be nice, thank you.” Bradley nodded and left the office, and Victor stared at the letter without reading it. His thoughts were still on Cordelia and he considered what Bradley had said. It had never been said that he didn’t know how to please a woman, but perhaps there was something he could do for her that didn’t involve slowly stripping off her clothes and kissing every inch of her body.
This is not the way to calm down, he admonished himself, and attempted to pay more attention to the letter. A moment later his thoughts were back on Cordelia and he tossed the letter on his desk. He’d never had this much trouble getting a woman off his mind before. With a sigh, he leaned back in his chair and waited for Bradley to return. No doubt talking to the boy would get his mind off things. What to do about Lady Whittemore, though?