“Me?” Mary asked. Having returned to the terrace only moments earlier, she was standing between Richard and her aunt. “I daresay that is absurd.”
“But I overheard your conversation with Mr.Heartly,” Rotridge said, his expression a muddled mixture of incomprehension and rapid thinking, “you clearly said that—”
“How much money did you risk on this calculated attempt to ruin Lady Mary’s reputation?” Richard asked, deliberately cutting Rotridge off.
Swiveling his head in Richard’s direction, Rotridge narrowed his eyes before stepping down from the stage and striding toward him. “Youdid this.”
“I cannot imagine what you might be referring to,” Richard spoke calmly, “but in my opinion, only the worst sort of scoundrel would stoop so low as to tarnish a lady’s standing out of spite. You were determined to win her hand in marriage for one reason alone—so you can acquire the land that she will eventually inherit from her grandfather. But she refused. Not even your attempts at blackmail could sway her.”
A low murmur snaked its way around the terrace, the blunt expression on everyone’s faces conveying their disapproval.
“Is this true, Lord Rotridge?” Lady Duncaster asked.
“That land was supposed to be mine,” Rotridge snapped, one second before lunging toward Richard.
Ducking, Richard managed to avoid the fist that was meant for his face, countering with a blow of his own instead. It landed solidly in Rotridge’s stomach, producing a pitiful yelp from the earl as he doubled over in pain.
“Enough,” Lady Duncaster said, her sharp tone breaking the men apart. Piercing blue eyes settled on Rotridge who was gasping for breath a small distance from where Richard was standing. “Your behavior this evening has been quite uncivil. Clearly you are mistaken in your hypothesis regarding MissCavalini’s identity, but rather than take it like a man, you choose to attack one of my guests instead. Now, if I may offer a piece of advice to you, apologize to MissCavalani and to Lady Mary right this second before you make matters worse.”
Stiffly, Rotridge inclined his head. “Forgive me.” His eyes sought Mary and then Amy.
“Good,” Lady Duncaster said. “You may leave now.”
“I beg your pardon?” Rotridge asked sounding confused.
“If you think that I will allow you to remain here after what you have just done, then you are mistaken. I expect to find you gone within the hour. The footmen will escort you to your room and help you pack.”
Flattening his mouth into a thin line, Rotridge paused for a second before turning away and marching back inside the house without another word while two footmen followed in his wake.
“Do you think he will try to bother us again?” Mary asked Richard as she watched Lady Duncaster hand over the large bouquet of roses to Amy and congratulate her on her performance.
“No. In fact, I wager he will have quit Thorncliff by the time we return inside. I doubt he will want to face either one of us after this, or anyone else for that matter.”
Deciding that he was probably right, Mary allowed herself a sigh of relief. “I hope so.” A cool summer breeze whispered across her skin. “Thank you once again for discovering Rotridge’s motivation. I had no idea that Grandpapa intends to leave so much land to me. He never said a word about it.”
“Perhaps because he knew that it would attract men like Rotridge?”
“I suspect you might be right.” Turning slightly, Mary smiled up at Richard. “Now that this is behind us, we can hopefully start focusing on all of the wedding preparations. Did I mention that I have written to my brother informing him of the good news?”
One side of Richard’s mouth edged upward. “No. You did not.”
“Oh. I am sorry. It must have slipped my mind.” Around them, the other guests began moving off in different directions while Lady Foxworth went to speak with Lady Duncaster.
“I cannot say that I am surprised. You have had a lot to think about lately.” Catching Mary by the arm, Richard guided her away from the seats and toward a darker corner of the terrace where a bench stood waiting.
“I am so relieved that it is all over now.” Lowering herself onto the bench, she waited for Richard to join her, a little bothered by the distance they were forced to keep for the sake of propriety. Discreetly, she placed her hand upon the seat.
“As am I.” His hand found hers, filling her with warmth and the assurance of his deep affection. “Do you think your brother will join us once he hears that we are to be wed?”
“I hope so. Family has always meant a great deal to me and with Mama and Papa so far away I would appreciate his support. Besides, I think it would be wonderful for the two of you to become acquainted with each other, especially since I think he would benefit greatly from your friendship and guidance.”
“You are hoping that I might have a positive influence on him?” When she nodded, he said, “I will tell you this—your brother will never take advantage of you again once we are married.”
“But you will help him somehow? Please, Richard. I cannot bear the thought of him living in poverty when I have been blessed with so much.”
“I understand, and as I have told you before, I will do what I can, but he has to be willing to do his part as well. If he earns his fortune rather than relying on gratuity, then perhaps he will take better care of it.”
Knowing how sound Richard’s reasoning was, Mary turned over her hand beneath his so that they were palm against palm and curled her fingers around his. “Thank you.” They sat in silence for a short while enjoying the quiet that was settling around them as the few remaining people on the terrace dispersed. “I think I will have to abandon my singing,” she finally said.
