Autumn's Wild Heart (Seasons #4) - Laura Landon Page 0,6
blue frock coat, checked that his top hat was meticulously brushed and his lavender gloves spotless, then traveled to his aunt’s town house. Having to speak to Lord Shelton after he’d ruined the man’s daughter wouldn’t be half so difficult as having to face his aunt.
His aunt, the Lady Angela Morningside, dowager Countess of Newbury, was his sole remaining relative. She was his father’s sister and had been a mother to him after his own mother died when James was only twelve. She’d also been more of a father to him than his real father had been. He’d died five years after his wife.
If it hadn’t been for his Aunt Angela, James wasn’t sure what would have become of him. If there was one person in the entire world he didn’t want to disappoint, his Aunt Angela was that person.
His carriage came to a stop in front of his aunt’s town house and James stepped to the curb. He took a deep breath, then walked to the front door.
It opened before he had to reach for the knocker and James stepped into the foyer.
“Her ladyship is expecting you, my lord,” her butler said, then closed the door and led James to the drawing room.
“Thank you, Perkins.”
Perkins rapped on the door once, then opened it.
“Lord Danvers to see you, my lady.”
“Thank you, Perkins. No need for tea.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The butler nodded respectfully then backed out of the room, and James was alone with his aunt. She hadn’t asked for tea. This was going to be an upbraiding and nothing more.
James was suddenly even more uncomfortable.
“Sit down, James,” she said pointing to the chair next to hers.
He walked to where she’d indicated and sat.
“Well, my boy. You’re in a fine pickle, I must say.”
James opened his mouth to speak but closed it again. He didn’t have a leg to stand on.
“Why don’t you explain what happened last night?” his aunt said.
“I wish I could, Aunt. But I don’t remember the happenings of last night.”
“What was the cause of that, do you think?”
“I believe I was drugged.”
“By whom?”
James brushed a hand across his temple. “I don’t know.”
“Do you think it could have been Lady Petronella Westerly?”
James shrugged his shoulders. “Most likely it was. Who else could it have been?”
“So, what is it you intend to do?”
“What options are open to me, Aunt?”
“Come, walk with me,” his aunt said, more as a command than a request.
James rose and led his aunt to the double doors that led out to the garden. It was early autumn and the flowers that had been in full bloom throughout the summer were losing their vibrant colors as well as their fullness. It seemed appropriate to James’ bleak mood.
When they reached the cobblestone path, they walked deep into the garden. A white wooden gazebo overlooked a pond in the middle of the garden. His aunt stepped up the two narrow stairs and sat on a wooden bench that outlined the perimeter of the small pavilion he’d practically lived in as a child.
“You have always been as a son to me, James.” She spoke with a wistful smile.
“As you have been mother and father to me, Aunt.”
She reached over to pat his hand.
“You know I love you and only want you to do what will make you happy.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Although I’ve heard rumors of your ill-disciplined lifestyle and have been aware of the scandals in which you’ve involved yourself, I have tried not to interfere in your life. I considered your escapades part of a young man sowing his wild oats.”
James flinched. “Yes, I have sown my share of wild oats, Aunt. But I’m afraid last night had nothing to do with sowing wild oats. I truly believe I was tricked.”
“And if you were?”
“Then I must consider calling the girl out and forcing her to publicly admit she intentionally drugged me to force a marriage.”
“No.”
James jerked his head to the side to look at his aunt. He was sure he’d misheard her. Surely she didn’t intend to force him to marry the girl. Not after what she’d done. Not a girl he’d never met before and had nothing in common with. Not a girl who was someone he could not tolerate looking at every morning and evening for the rest of his life.
“What?” he asked. “Why?”
“Because your good name will be ruined if you fail to do your duty. Even if you can force her to publicly admit she tricked you, your reputation will be forever tarnished. Besides, I’m told