‘That doesn’t mean everyone else is a villain. You made a mistake, and you’ll learn from it.’
‘My mistake lost me my ring. And Miss Beaumont has a great deal more to lose than that.’
‘Yes, she does. But I’m not a better judge than her of whom she should marry, or how, and I don’t see why you are.’
‘I don’t claim to be! I’m saying that she is committing an indiscreet action she will probably regret, which could easily lead her into shame and distress and hardship, and if there is the opportunity to prevent that, I must surely take it. I can’t just let a bad thing happen. You said yourself, we should help each other.’
Daizell was looking at him; Cassian could feel it, although his features were barely visible in the faint light coming from the inn’s windows. ‘But it isnot your affair. You aren’t her friend; you owe her nothing. You’ve only just met her.’
‘And I wish I hadn’t,’ Cassian said with feeling. ‘But now I know about this, how can I ignore it?’
Daizell scrunched his hand into his curls. ‘Easily. We go back inside, finish our drinks, go to bed, and let the woman decide her own life instead of getting embroiled in her ridiculous goings-on which, I may say, she is going to pursue whatever you or anyone may think of them.’
It was overwhelmingly tempting. Cassian had absolutely no desire to drag a headstrong woman back to her family home against her will, or embroil himself in what would doubtless be a ghastly mess. The Duke, on the other hand, could only imagine how the news would be received that he had allowed an elopement to proceed under his aegis.You are Severn, Lord Hugo would say;you have a duty.
‘Surely her family will allow the marriage to take place inthe proper manner if it proves a lasting attachment,’ he said. ‘Or if not, I dare say there is some good reason they don’t wish her to marry Marston.’
‘There is certainly a reason, and it’s not even his beefwittedness, or his deplorable propensity for jealousy,’ Daizell said. ‘Although I did attempt to run away with his intended bride so one can’t entirely blame him for being testy with me. She’s a substantial heiress. Her father was old Giles Beaumont, Golden Giles. Why on earth do you think I agreed to elope with her?’
Cassian would have liked to interrogate that last, but he had other concerns. ‘Giles Beaumont? The manufacturer? But isn’t his daughter Sir James Vier’s ward?’
‘Vier got his hands on her when Beaumont died, and controls her income while she remains unwed. Her fortune only becomes hers on her marriage. It’s why he hasn’t let her make her come-out or any such. She’d be snapped up within a season, and that would incommode Vier very seriously. He intends to claim her hand and thus her fortune for himself, and as her guardian, he is in an excellent position to do so.’
Cassian spluttered. ‘A girl of her age? In his power? And he’s fifty if he’s a day!’
‘Quite. Do you blame her for escaping?’
‘Good God, no. But for heaven’s sake, she’s playing right into his hands. If she elopes without even a female attendant, and he has to retrieve her – again,’ he added, because the previous failed elopement had been widely talked about, ‘she will make herself utterly unmarriageable.’
‘Not with her money.’
‘Unmarriageable to a decent man. And anyway, it would seem far less of a villainy for Vier to marry his own ward if she so clearly needs to be controlled. People will say sheneeds a firm hand, an older man to steady her, that she clearly isn’t fit to decide for herself. Not to mention that people care far less about a wrong done to a woman who is already soiled goods.’
Daizell made a face. ‘True.’
‘Would you put it past Vier to haul her back home, let the world know she spent all this time with a man, and present himself as saving her reputation by marriage?’
‘I wouldn’t put much past him,’ Daizell said. ‘You’re right that she has got herself in a bad position. But do you really think we should return her to that swine’s house?’
‘Of course not. We should help them get to Gretna.’
Daizell paused for a second. ‘Not what I expected you to say, but carry on.’
‘Clearly she should marry Marston, if the alternative is Vier. Can we help them on their way?’
‘How?’
‘I thought you’d know. You must have some ideas, surely? You’ve done it before.’
Daizell gave him a look. ‘I don’t elope with heiresses as often as you might think. Just the once, actually, and it wasn’t a success. You seem to have changed your stance on the aiding and abetting of elopement rather rapidly?’
‘I loathe Sir James,’ Cassian said, with immense feeling. ‘He’s a cruel, grasping, malicious brute who abuses his horses, and I would enjoy nothing more than to put a spoke in his wheel. And I should not like to see a young lady in his power, especially if she had crossed him.’ If Miss Beaumont was forced back to Sir James, the Duke would unquestionably have to act, now he knew of her plight. That opened all kinds of ghastly vistas, since people would want to know the reason for the Duke of Severn’s interest in a pretty,eligible, unmarried lady. Whereas if she eloped successfully and gained control of her fortune, he could forget about her without guilt.
Not to mention that if he could help now, that would show he could act as himself and not just through his inherited power. He rather liked that idea.
‘We must aid her,’ he said firmly. ‘Surely you can think of something.’
Daizell sighed. ‘Let’s talk to Romeo and Juliet.’
