Abandoned to the Prodigal - Mary Lancaster Page 0,55

only interest to him was as Cosland’s daughter. It was Hazel Curwen who had stirred his blood as well as his ire.

But now he thought of Juliet, he had the impression of a beautiful, vital young creature, courted and toadied. Why her father had placed her with the princess, he had no idea. It wasn’t as if Cosland had need of the salary, which Prinny rarely troubled to pay in any case. No, it must have given the earl some political advantage, which Barden had every hope was now shattered with the girl’s ruin.

Enter Lord Barden, their only hope.

He smiled out of the window. They were almost there. He was ready. He knew his lines.

But then, he had known his lines at Brightoaks, and it had all gone horribly wrong. He shuddered at the memory of his departure and swung his attention to his valet, Rogers, whom he had allowed to travel inside the vehicle.

“You will not gossip with the servants at Hornby Park,” he commanded.

“Of course not, my lord.” Rogers sounded shocked.

“You will say merely that we have just come from Lady Sayle’s party at Brightoaks.”

“We have.”

“And the mode of that departure will never be brought up.”

“Never,” Rogers agreed, clearly bored.

Barden eyed him suspiciously, but no sign of amusement was visible in the valet’s expression. “Good. You will soon have cause to congratulate me. And with the rise in my fortunes comes your own comfort, Rogers.”

“You mean I will be paid?” Rogers inquired with a hint of sarcasm.

“Liberally, my good man, liberally. Look, ahead, over there, that must be Hornby…”

Of course, it was as impressive a house and grounds as one would expect of a wealthy earl. It riled Barden, but only a little, for he would have his share. He thought with longing of his own ancestral pile in Hertfordshire, mortgaged to the hilt and rented out to some wealthy cit. Soon, it would be his again. Soon, he would be the one inviting people to stay for week-long parties with his beautiful wife playing hostess to everyone he chose to invite. Everyone.

He smiled. Oh yes, the great earl and his family would be brought low. There was no way out for them, though he would make it appear there was.

The gracious, tree-lined drive swept up to the house, where the carriage pulled up. Well-trained servants appeared to carry baggage and deal with the horses. Leaving Rogers to instruct them, Barden walked up the steps to the open door. Satisfied, he stepped inside to be greeted by a very superior butler. Barden had once had one of those.

“Welcome to Hornby, my lord,” this individual said with a bow, without even glancing at the card in Barden’s fingers. “His lordship is expecting you. Her ladyship wonders if you would care to be conducted straight to your chamber? Or if you would care to join the party in the salon?”

“My chamber, if you please.”

A footman was summoned with one flick of the butler’s eyes and led him across the entrance hall and up the grand staircase—grander than his own—two flights and then along wide but winding passages to a large apartment with two windows and comfortable furnishings.

His bags were already there. And a few moments later, Rogers joined him to dig out a fresh cravat. In truth, he did not have so many clothes that he could change several times a day, but a wash, a brush down, and a clean necktie made all the difference.

He sauntered downstairs and had a footman direct him to Lady Cosland in the salon. Here, welcomed most civilly by the earl and countess, he discovered he was not the only guest. The earl’s brother, Lord Stephen Lilbourne, and his family were also present.

“We are having a few guests to dinner this evening,” Lady Cosland explained. “By way of marking the engagement of our younger daughter. I hope you will enjoy the company, but if you are tired after your long journey—”

“By no means, ma’am. I should be honored to join you,” Barden said politely. “I can only apologize for intruding on a family occasion.”

“Not at all, my lord,” Lady Cosland assured him. “It is a pleasure to welcome you here, and several of our neighbors will be present, too. We have even set up the drawing room so that the young people may dance afterward.”

At that moment, several young people entered the room from the open French windows. Lady Juliet really was a beautiful girl, he saw with fresh pleasure. She outshone her merely