Page 64 of Almost a Countess

As they ate breakfast, Finn and Dora,when her path crossed his, told everything that had happened. Itwas comforting to know Finn had such a champion, but she didn’twish to ever be on the wrong side of Lord Abernethy.

“Well,” his lordship saidwhen they had finished, “Lieutenant Scarlet certainly had thetenacity o’ a bulldog. No’ at all a bad quality in a good soldier.I wish him luck o’ Rothes, but I suspect he’ll havenone.”

“Will he be cashiered?”Dora understood that was one of the most dishonorable things thatcould happen to a soldier.

“If he’s lucky, that’s allhe will get. He overstepped his authority, which is discouraged inan army officer. He should have kenned better and had he no’ beensae far from his regiment, they would have nipped the whole thingin the bud.” Lord Abernethy sipped more tea, looking thoughtful. Heshook his head. “Had I known about the debauchery he tried taeenact on Miss Harper, I suspect he would have been hung. He isfortunate that his little demonstration didna succeed. Had it donesae, I would follow him tae London and lay all the facts beforeRothes. Scarlet would have been flogged for disrespecting a womanand the future Countess o’ Aberfoyle, had I anything tae dae wi’it.

“And speaking o’ thisfictional countess who does no’ yet exist, when dae ye intend taeask for her hand, nephew?” Lord Abernethy frowned deeply at Finn,who suddenly decided to study his plate of food. The marquess thenturned his gaze on her, and Dora trembled. “Yer father is LordDowning, I believe Lord Trevor said in his letter. Is that correct,Miss Harper?”

“Yes, my lord. I am hisyoungest daughter.” Tris had been quite the chatterer to LordAbernethy. What else might he have mentioned?

“Is he in London?” Hislordship peered at Finn. “If sae, ye can take the most expedientroad and ask for her as soon as we reach Town.”

Dora, Finn, and Aunt Mimi exchanged alook.

“What was that about?” Themarquess’s eyes narrowed. “What else have ye no’ toldme?”

“The reason I went to Dorain Yorkshire, my lord,” Aunt Mimi eyed her and Finn, “was to informher that her father was in the process of arranging a marriage forher with Sir Harry Walters. Before this information could beimparted to her, she and Lord Aberfoyle had fallen in love andplanned to marry.”

“We still dae, uncle.”Straightening his back, Finn stuck out his chin. That always madehim look particularly fierce. “We dinna care what her father says,we will marry.”

“Indeed?” Lord Abernethydug a quizzer out of this jacket and proceeded to look Finn andDora up and down. “And how dae ye propose tae dae that? I assumeMiss Harper has no’ reached her majority yet, and therefore willneed her parent’s permission.”

Dora nodded slowly. The marquess wastrying to intimidate her, and she wouldn’t let that happen.Seize the moment. “I believe your next objection orobservation will be that I will have no dowry if I marry against myfather’s wishes. That is true, I will not receive a dime from him.However, my grandmother, who I was named after, left me quite asubstantial fortune. I need only to wait until I achieve mymajority, and I will inherit her fortune and properties. My fathercannot touch or control that money, as it was put in trust for meyears ago.” She smiled sweetly at Lord Abernethy. “So if you thinkFinn and I can live on his estates’ income for the next few years,we will reap the benefits of my grandmother’s generosityeventually.”

Lord Abernethy studied her for someminutes, until Dora began to get uncomfortable under his gaze.“Aberfoyle, I approve. Ye have chosen wisely. If ye can arrange themarriage either with Lord Downing or without him, ye have my fullblessing.”

“Thank ye, uncle!” Finnbeamed first at him then at Dora. He grabbed her hand and broughtit to his lips. “I kenned he would approve o’ ye, mogradh.”

“That being said, nephew,what are the chances o’ Lord Downing approving yer suit?” His unclesipped tea, the beverage of everyone experiencing acrisis.

“I’m afraid those odds areexceedingly long, my lord. I can tell you I would not take them.”Aunt Mimi spoke up.

“In which case, my lord,aunt,” Dora squeezed the arms of her chair, trying to buck up hercourage. “I suggest we bypass my father completely, leave heretoday and travel to Scotland. We could marry there, where I willneed nothing save two witnesses and someone to marry us.” She gazedaround the stunned table. “Well?”

“I would have nae problemwhatsoever with that plan.” Thankfully, Finn rushed to support her.“For us tae be married at Aberfoyle would be my fondestwish.”

“It is a scandalous move,Dora.” Aunt Mimi stirred her tea rather briskly. “One that wouldtaint both your marriage and your family’s reputation. And whileyour father’s conduct toward you all these years might argue thathe deserves whatever recriminations would be heaped upon his head,your poor mother does not.”

Dora dropped her gaze to herstill-full breakfast plate. There was some truth to that. Mamma hadoften supported her in small ways at home. Her mother had notchampioned Dora when Father and Simon had browbeaten her, butneither had she had the active animosity toward her that her fatherand brother had. And Dora would be the last child wed. Her mothermight feel it keenly if she missed it. “That may be true, AuntMimi, but I must weigh that against the very real possibility thatif given the chance, Father will refuse Finn’s suit and insist thatI marry Sir Harry.” She stared straight at her aunt. She knewDora’s father as well as Dora did. “You cannot deny he might do itsimply to spite me.”

“Oh, yes, Melchior is asvindictive a man as I have ever met. His sending you to Yorkshirealone as punishment is an excellent example.” Aunt Mimi sniffed. “Itherefore think it a delightful turn of events that you have fallenin love with a worthy gentleman because you were simply in theright place at the right time. Your father will be completelyincensed.” She smiled viciously. “I, for one, would pay good moneyto see his face when that is pointed out to him.”

“I have nae acquaintancewith Lord Downing,” Lord Abernethy addressed himself to Dora,“however, I will make clear tae him the many advantages o’ yourmarriage tae my nephew. He’d be a fool tae turn itdown.”

“I give you warning,Melchior has been known to act foolishly.” The duchess cut her eyesat Dora, and something predatory in them made her grasp Finn’shand. “However, I am in possession of information that you may beable to use to convince the stubborn man it would be in his bestinterests to agree to the marriage.” Pursing her lips, she glareddirectly at Dora. “And quickly if he wishes to avoid scandal.”Frowning, Finn leaned over to whisper in Dora’s ear, “What is shetalking about?”

Dora shook her head then dropped it toher chest to hide her face, turning red even before her aunt spoke.“That evening at The Red Lion,” she whispered.

“What information is that,Duchess?” Lord Abernethy sounded suspicious, and with goodcause.

“That my niece and yournephew, once they had pledged themselves, felt no compunctionagainst anticipating their wedding night.”

Dora’s face was on fire to the tips ofher ears. “Aunt Mimi, what are you saying? That’s simplynot—”

“And I have no doubt theinstance I have knowledge of was not the only time they have doneso.”

Wincing as if receiving a blow, Doraput her hands over her blazing face. Oh, what must Lord Abernethythink of her? And it wasn’t even true. “Finn!” she whispered athim. “Tell them we did nothing.”