A Daring Liaison(69)

Georgiana closed the journal and wondered if the answer was in any of the journals, or if the truth would always elude her. What, dear Lord, could she tell Charles? It was bad enough that she’d been born out of wedlock, but that she did not even know the name of her father was untenable. Unthinkable. Surely telling Charles the truth would be easier if she could name her father.

She closed the journal quickly when she heard a scuffle on the stairs. “Madam? Are you up there?”

“Yes, Clara.”

“There’s a Mr. Foxworthy at the door, missus. Says he must see you at once. I told him you were not receiving today, but he insisted.”

Foxworthy? Good heavens! “Put him in the front parlor, Clara, and tell him I will be down in a moment.”

She replaced the journal hastily, closed the lid and carried the trunk in front of her as she descended the narrow attic stairs. Finn was waiting for her, his massive arms crossed over his chest and a frown of disapproval marring his brow. She pushed the trunk into his arms. “Give that to Clara, will you? I’d like it packed with the rest.”

Finn held the trunk tightly but ignored her instructions. Instead he followed her down the two flights of stairs and across the foyer to the parlor. She paused outside the door to pat her hair and smooth her skirts, took one deep breath in preparation and opened the door, Finn fast behind her.

A man who appeared slightly older than Lord Carlington turned from his study of the garden outside the window. He was not unpleasant looking, but appeared very stern and uncompromising. “Mrs. Huffington?”

She went forward, her hand extended. “Indeed. And you are Mr. Foxworthy?”

“Mr. Walter Foxworthy,” he corrected, ignoring her offered hand.

“I did not know you were in London, sir.”

“No reason you should. Our branches of the family have not been close for a generation or more.” He gripped the lapels of his brown jacket and puffed his chest out. “I say ‘ours,’ Mrs. Huffington, but I am referring to Cousin Caroline. You are not a true Betman.”

A truer Betman than he knew, but she did not intend to tell him that. “I’m aware of the distinction, sir,” she allowed.

“I have just come from Mr. Goodman. He informs me that you are aware of my suit.”

“To become my conservator? Yes.”

Mr. Foxworthy glanced at Finn. “I believe this is a private conversation, Mrs. Huffington.”

She turned and smiled at Finn. “Will you excuse us, Finn? You may wait outside the door.”

“I cannot leave you alone with strangers, Mrs. Huffington.”

“Mr. Foxworthy is family.”

Finn looked between the two of them and finally nodded. “I will be outside,” he allowed, leaving the room with the trunk tucked under one massive arm.

When the door closed with a quiet click of the latch, she breathed out and pretended an ease she did not feel. “May I offer you refreshment, Mr. Foxworthy? A cup of tea or a glass of sherry, perhaps?”

“I do not like your people poking around asking questions of my neighbors.”

Ah, Mr. Renquist’s questions had alerted the Foxworthys. “Surely you can understand my concern when I heard that a man I’ve never met has filed to control my fortune and my person on the accusation that I am not of stable mind? I think it only natural to inquire what sort of man that might be.”

“You see him before you now.”

Yes, she did. She let her gaze sweep him from head to toes. She did not think she would like being under his control at all. “What will you take, Mr. Foxworthy? How much do you want to drop the proceedings?”

He bared his teeth, but she gathered the gesture was not a smile. “You think you can buy me off? You’re just like Caroline and his lordship. Looking down your nose at the Foxworthys. Think you’re better than us, do you? Think you can buy your way out of trouble? Not for any amount, Mrs. Huffington. We, my brother and I, are going to do what’s right.”

Georgiana perched on the edge of a settee, fearing her wobbly knees would give out. She knew she could not afford to show any weakness to this man or he would rip her to shreds. “What is right?”

“Stopping you from squandering the family fortune.”

“I’ve been conservative, sir. I’ve certainly spent less than Aunt Caroline used to.”

“This is not just about your spending, Mrs. Huffington. It is about your rash behavior and your...your unseemly decisions. You are frivolous and unstable.”