Worth of Rubies: A Victorian Short Mystery Read online

  Aunt Mary met her eyes directly. “I thought it best that you understand the situation clearly, my dear, especially with your parents’ visit coming to a close. They would like a word with you in the drawing room. I expect you’ll want to freshen up.”

  ~*~*~*~*~

  Lily entered the drawing room to find her father standing before the window, staring out at a patch of blue framed by dark clouds. Her mother sat in the wingback near him, hands folded in her lap, waiting. To pounce, no doubt. They were both dressed for travel, Lady Fernhaven, as always, in the first order of fashion. Her sea-green silk walking dress was a perfect match for her eyes—an unusual hue that Lily had inherited.

  “There you are, darling. Come in. Your father and I have been discussing your future. You know we only have your best interests at heart. Really, you cannot afford to rusticate out here any longer. Look at you.”

  Lily followed her mother’s gaze down to her hands. Despite her efforts she had not been able to completely remove the crimson and viridian stains the paints had left on her fingers. She curled them into her palms and met her mother’s eyes.

  “Mother, I came here to document Uncle Edward’s new botanical specimens. It’s important work. The publications of his papers with my illustrations have been well-received.”

  Lady Fernhaven’s lips tightened. “That is all very well, but you have more important things to consider. Time is not standing still, Lily. I fear soon it will be too late.”

  Usually Lily had a ready reply, but her conversation with Aunt Mary had been sobering. She looked at the woman before her, tense as a coiled spring, then to her father standing motionless and unreadable. Then past both of them.

  Outside, the gardens at Brookdale Manor were awakening. Hardy green spikes of woodland hyacinth poked through the brown carpet of leaves and the thin spears of crocus were well up, bearing their promise of jewel-bright yellow and purple flowers.

  What promise did her future hold? None—unless she chose a different course. Spinsterhood would be a marriage of sorts, a marriage to her father and mother—chilling thought. She might not be able to find that elusive someone, but she could certainly do better than these two. Truly, they were partners even less suitable than the gentlemen who had called upon her. As a married woman she would at least be a lady in her own right.

  Lily focused back on her mother. “Who is it this time? You no doubt have someone in mind, having eliminated the fortune-hunters and untitled younger sons, of course.”

  Lady Fernhaven fixed her with a sharp look. “I am sure you recall my dear friend Countess Buckley. We find ourselves with a similar problem. Her son, Lord Gerald Buckley, is a most agreeable young man. The two of you would suit admirably, Lily. He is heir to a very respectable estate and title. You are the daughter of a Marquis, a lady of good family and breeding.”

  Her father left his refuge among the curtains. “I have to agree. We fear you are heading for spinsterhood if you do not mend your ways. At your insistence, we have given you a great deal of freedom—perhaps too much. It is past time to take up the responsibilities of your position in Society.”

  Lily tried to read his face, searching in vain for the understanding she usually found there. Lady Fernhaven continued. “Lord Buckley is presently sightseeing in America. His mother assures me he intends to call upon you when he returns. They correspond regularly and the situation appears very promising.”

  “Very promising? Is he kind, Mother? Does he treat his servants and horses well? Will he love his wife and children more than a bottle of brandy?”

  “Really, Lily, you do carry on. You are the most particular girl a mother could be burdened with. The Buckleys are a very old and well-respected family. He’ll be an earl, for goodness sake.”

  Lily folded her arms. She knew very little about Lord Buckley, and only vaguely recalled sitting at supper with him—had it been last Season, or the one before? He had not left a bad impression. He had not left much of an impression at all. She knew he did not spend much time in London, but then, neither did she. Did he also flee a mother who sought to manage his life? Lily was acquainted with Countess Buckley—it was entirely possible.

  “And if I refuse to entertain Lord Buckley’s company?”

  Her father spoke. “Then I hope you had the foresight to pack your valise. You will return with us to London immediately and remain there.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him—the betrayer—but his jaw was set, his mind made up.

  “What about my painting? And the botanical expedition? Uncle Edward needs me.”

  “We have spoken to him,” her father said. “He understands the situation—understands that he will have to find another illustrator.”

  “You aren’t serious. You can’t be. It isn’t necessary—”

  “It is necessary. I’m sorry, Lily.”

  She turned and began pacing, a habit her mother deplored. Her parents were determined. And united. It was so uncharacteristic of them. No wonder her aunt had tried to prepare her. Now Lily was fenced in by her mother, and her father guarded the gate.

  Could any husband be more intolerable than this pair? Maybe she had been wrong to reject all those men. There had been some kind ones, some handsome ones—there must have been. She should have just chosen one and been done with it.

  Possible and probable futures swirled through her mind. The room was suddenly quiet but for the coal hissing in the grate, the swish of her skirts and the sound of her pacing feet. Whichever step she took—right now, under the combined scrutiny of her parents—could set her course for the rest of her life.

  Which life did she choose?

  Lily pivoted to face her mother. “When is Lord Buckley due to return to London?”

  Calculation leapt in Lady Fernhaven’s eyes. “Sometime mid-Season, I believe. June at the latest. What are you saying?”

  “I’m not saying anything—not yet.” She could not endure the triumph unfolding across her mother’s face. Lily began pacing again. “And he has expressed interest in, ah, arranging a union?”

  “Yes.” Her mother leaned forward in her chair.

  Lily’s heartbeat sped faster than her steps. Marriage was the only way to avoid becoming a spinster. She shot a glance at her mother. And becoming a spinster was not an option. While she had not anticipated that today would be the day she agreed to wed, there did seem to be advantages. What better way to avoid the pressure to make a match than by making one?

  She stopped in front her parents. “If Lord Buckley and I had an understanding, it wouldn’t be necessary for me to spend the Season in Town. It wouldn’t even be wise for me to dance and converse with other unmarried gentlemen while he was away.”

  “Where are you headed with this?” her father asked.

  “If I’m agreeable and Lord Buckley is agreeable, then there really is no reason to parade about the salons and ballrooms of London. I might as well continue here, painting.” She widened her eyes and looked directly at her father. “Don’t you think?”

  “Well…” He glanced at Lily’s mother. “She does have a point.”

  “No she doesn’t. She will just waste the Season painting pictures of foliage and then refuse Lord Buckley when he returns.”

  “I will not refuse him, mother. I’ll accept Lord Buckley’s suit—on the condition that I can remain here to finish my work, and accompany Uncle Edward’s field expedition next month.”

  There. It hardly seemed possible she had said the words.

  “You will?” Exultation flashed in Lady Fernhaven’s eyes. “You will!” Turning to her husband, she said, “Didn’t I tell you she would come around if only you would side with me?” She rose with a rustle of silk and took Lily’s hands, squeezing them tightly. “You will not regret this, darling. Lord Buckley is a very wise choice. If you will agree to his proposal of marriage, then I think you may be spared the rigors of the London Season. In fact, you are right. With Lord Buckley away, your absence will be all to the good. We will, of
course, expect you back in Town upon his arrival.”

  “Of course, Mother.”

  Her father stepped forward and took Lily by the shoulders. “We will hold you to your word.”

  “I know. I intend to keep it.” Oh heavens. What had she just done?

  He pulled her into an embrace. “We’ll see you in Town before you go abroad.”

  “And I will arrange something with Countess Buckley when you visit,” her mother added. “She will be eager to renew her acquaintance with you.”

  ~*~*~*~*~

  OTHER WORKS by Anthea Lawson

  SHORT STORIES:

  Maid for Scandal – Miss Anna Harcourt disguises herself as a maid to be near the man she thinks she loves, but little does she know how far this charade will lead her ... or how close to scandal.

  ~An Amazon Top 100 Regency Romance Bestseller for over two months~

  The Piano Tutor – Encouraged by her scandalous friend to take a lover, Lady Diana Waverly finds that the new piano tutor is more than he seems -- especially when it comes to passion.

  "LOVED IT. A delightful and satisfying quickie read!" -Historical Romance Book Reviews

  NOVELLAS:

  Five Wicked Kisses – To pay a debt, Juliana Tate must accept five kisses from the Earl of Eastbrook ... but she never suspects how wicked each kiss will be.

  ~Over 5 months on the Amazon Top 100 Short Stories bestseller list~

  To Wed The Earl – Miss Miranda Price detests her neighbor Edward Havens, the rakish Earl of Edgerton, but when he catches her breaking into his library at midnight, secrets are revealed that will change the course of their lives… forever.

  COLLECTIONS:

  Kisses and Rogues – All four of Anthea’s Regency Romance short stories and novellas, in one sweet-to-spicy collection.

  NOVELS:

  PASSIONATE – A finalist for the prestigious RWA RITA award, this Victorian-set novel takes the reader on a romantic adventure from the ballrooms and parlors of London through the Mediterranean to the exotic valleys of Tunisia. Fans of Julia Quinn and Connie Brockway will enjoy this witty foray into the outer edges of civilization — and propriety.

  “A lush, exotic tale of romance and adventure.” – Sally MacKenzie, USA Today bestselling author

  ALL HE DESIRES – Self-exiled on the Isle of Crete, an English doctor with a troubled past meets the one woman who can bring him out of the shadows and into the light.

  “Lawson, a RITA-nominated husband-and-wife writing team, deftly combines danger, desire, and a deliciously different Victorian setting into a sexy version of Victoria Holt’s classic gothic romances.” –Booklist Reviews

  YOUNG ADULT FANTASY:

  FEYLAND: THE DARK REALM –What if a high-tech computer game was a gateway to the treacherous Realm of Faerie? Jennet Carter must ally with an unlikely hero to win the game—or die trying.

  FEYLAND: THE BRIGHT COURT— Computer games. Faeries. A hero from the wrong side of the tracks who finally lets down his guard toward the girl he loves - just in time for a new magical threat to the human world.

  FEYLAND: THE TWILIGHT KINGDOM—Jennet and Tam return to the mystical, dangerous world of Feyland—but this time the faeries will stop at nothing to open a gateway to the mortal world.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Anthea Lawson’s first two novels were co-written by Anthea and Lawson, a husband and wife creative team living in the Pacific Northwest. Their first novel, Passionate, was released from Kensington books in October 2008, and was a nominee for the prestigious RWA RITA award for Best First Book.

  Since 2010, Anthea has branched out solo, continuing to write historical romance, as well as Young Adult Urban Fantasy as Anthea Sharp. Anthea is happily married and living in the Northwest with her husband and daughter, where the rainy days and excellent coffee fuel her writing.

  In addition to writing, Anthea is an Irish fiddler with the Celtic band Fiddlehead. You can hear samples of her music at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Fiddlehead

  Visit Anthea’s website at www.anthealawson.com, friend her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter. See you there!