Forever My Love (Berkeley-Faulkner #2)(60)

“It’s over, Georgia. I won’t be visiting any longer. But thanks for the invitation… it’s nice to know that one is wanted.”

“Bastard,” she said for the second time, shrugging and turning away from him. “I’ll take the diamonds, then.”

The Berkeley grounds were covered with a sea oftables, all laden with the most enormous amount of food Mira had ever seen. Roasts and hams were being brought from the kitchens as fast as they could be carved and served, while vast crowds gathered to partake of puddings, breads, and other dishes. After living a month with the Berkeleys, Mira was finally becoming accustomed to their grand style of doing things, yet she was awed by the size of the gathering that they hosted. The feast was an all-day event and would be concluded by a fireworks display when night had fallen. The affair was for the benefit of the tenants of the estate and the residents of the surrounding villages, but members of the local gentry also came to partake of the food, drink, and merriment.

“There must be more than a thousand people here,” Mira breathed in awe, burrowing her hands deeper into her swansdown muff as a chilly breeze pinkened her cheeks. Rosalie smiled, nodding in greeting to the people they passed on their way across the lawn.

“Every year it seems to get-bigger,” Rosalie admitted. “But how could we turn anyone away? Most of these people are local villagers who work desperately hard every day of the year. I only wish we could give them move than this little bit of pleasure.”

“I’ve heard many people talk about how generous you and Lord Berkeley are. Your tenants must number among the most well-fed and content in all of England.”

“Rand would like to do more for the local people. He is considering asking King George for a summons to Parliament—either that or he will find an overlooked district to represent. Now that the shipping company practically runs itself, he must look for new challenges. And I will be glad when he becomes more involved in politics, for that will draw his attention away from uncovering my little secrets.”

Mira cast a curious smile at Rosalie. “You have secrets from him? I thought neither of you made a step without the other.““You did? Goodness, how boring that would be. No, Rand is not aware of all of my activities, and I make certain that he knows it. It would never do to let him think he has the upper hand over me.”

“What exactly… ?” Mira began, and then stopped herself with a chuckle. “No, I won’t ask.”

“I’ll tell you if you promise not to let a word out to anyone about it.” Rosalie glanced around to make certain that no one was near enough to overhear their conversation, and then she lowered her voice a few degrees. “You know that Brummell, my father, has been in exile in France for the past few years. He had run up so many debts here, gambling and otherwise, that he couldn’t possibly have paid them… and after his friendship with King George ended, he was bound to end up in debtor’s prison. Even though he still has many rich and powerful friends in England, Brummell is terribly incompetent with money… no control whatsoever. He insists on buying only the best, and he is such a horrible spendthrift… and he won’t take any money from me for reasons of pride.”

“How awful to be unable to help someone when you want to.”

“Yes… but a man’s pride is easily bruised. In some ways men are so much more fragile than women.” Rosalie sighed. “For numerous reasons, my husband and my father dislike each other intensely. The only thing they agree on is that we should never acknowledge my kinship to Brummell. But despite all the good reasons for ignoring it, he is my father! He is my only natural parent. I can’t forget that, no matter how much Rand would like me to.”

“Of course you couldn’t,” Mira murmured.

“So in secret I arrange for little ways to help Brummell, because he is in bad straits financially. I pay anonymously for as many of his bills as I can without arousing suspicion from either Brummell or Rand.““What about Brummell’s family? If he is in need of money, why don’t they help him?” Rosalie frowned, shaking her head in disgust. “They tolerated him while he was rich and influential, but now he is nothing more than an embarrassment to them. They like to pretend he doesn’t exist—for that matter, they pretend I don’t exist! So they won’t offer any help to him at all.” A faint smile touched Rosalie’s lips. “Mireille, no one knows about this, but twice my father has come to England to visit secretly, just for a few hours. I have met with him both times without my husband’s knowledge. Rand would forbid it—”

“Surely not,” Mira protested, knowing that Berkeley wouldn’t refuse his wife anything she truly desired. “Well, he might not forbid it,” Rosalie conceded after a moment’s thought, “but I do know that he would insist upon accompanying me, which would spoil things altogether. I can picture what it would be like to try to talk with Brummell, who is so easily upset anyway, with Rand in the background scowling at us both.”

“I see what you mean,” Mira said, and they exchanged a wry smile.

“The reason I’m telling you all of this,” Rosalie continued, “is that I received word from Brummell yesterday morning that he is coming to England in a few days, and this will probably be his last visit. He is coming to speak to his attorney about some secret funds of his that still exist in London, and also to talk with a publisher about a book he has been writing on costume and dress. He is the acknowledged expert on the subject, and perhaps the proceeds of the book sale will help to cover his debts and expenses.”