He’d been for a swim in the Serpentine, he’s ridden Hector up Rotten Row, cantering past the other riders, but nothing helped him concentrate. He thought he might go to Angelo’s Fencing rooms, but it was getting late.
A knock on the door, and Mr. Farthing, his butler, entered with a serious expression on his face. “The Earl of Riversmead is here, and says it is imperative he speaks with you.”
“Riversmead? That would be Lady Olivia Sherwyn’s uncle?”
“Indeed, that is the case, My Lord.”
“Well, you’d better show him in. I suspect I know what has prompted this call.”
Except he didn’t, and what the earl had to say shocked him to his core.
The elderly Lord Riversmead took a seat opposite Marcus. “Lord Hatfield,” he greeted Marcus.
“Call me Marcus. I’m very aware of the untrue rumors circulating about your niece and myself, and assume that is why you are here?”
“Despicable lies. Olivia denies anything untoward happened and I believe her,” said Harold.
“She is a very special person, and I have spent time with her, and enjoyed her conversation. However, I can assure you there has been nothing untoward between us.”
“I’ve had my lawyer looking into this matter and the trail dries up. I’m sure you are aware of the identity of the chief suspect?”
“Lady Cressida Lantham?”
“Exactly. She was caught in the act of spreading slander at Jocelyn’s coming out ball. However, my solicitor’s enquiries have come to a dead end.”
Marcus nodded for Lord Riversmead to continue.
“Whoever began the rumors lit the fuse and stood back. The powder keg of lies has exploded across theton. My niece, and my great niece, face ruin,” explained Lord Riversmead.
“Surely it can’t be that serious?” Marcus replied.
“They have had no invitations, and no callers, with the exception of the Marquis of Hastings, for several days.”
Marcus winced at the mention of Colin’s rival in love.
“Even Viscountess Marianne Leighton, who is Jocelyn’s sponsor, has been cut dead by several acquaintances. Thankfully she is a true friend to Olivia and will take no notice of these fair-weather friends.”
“I had no idea it had escalated this far,” Marcus with surprise.
“We had hoped it would be a storm in a teacup, but the rumors are still circulating and becoming embellished as they pass from mouth to mouth,” Lord Riversmead told him.
“And these scandal sheets?” asked Marcus.
“That’s one place where I have had some success,” confided the earl. “Rawlings, my solicitor, tracked down the owner of the press and we prevented a further circulation of more extreme gossip. In fact, I take that word back. I refuse to call this gossip, because it is evil… criminal slander.”
“Please let me know if I can assist with your enquiries in any way,” said Marcus. “If it is a case of finance or manpower …”
Harold shook his head. “I very much fear, and I have thought this through from every angle, I very much fear that the only way to retrieve my niece’s reputation is through matrimony.”
“Marriage?”
“A marriage is the only way to prevent long lasting damage,” explained Lord Riversmead. “I see no point in beating about the bush. I am here to ask you to do your duty and marry my niece, Lady Olivia Sherwyn.”
Marcus stared into space. It was as if he hadn’t heard the words, but they were slowly sinking in. The elderly aristocrat opposite him was deadly serious.
His brain raced through the possibilities.
There was logic in the earl’s plan. It might be that he was the only man who could marry his niece. The spurious rumors, still spinning around town, were ruining Olivia and Jocelyn by association.
