Lord Phillip's Folly Read online

  Phillip assisted Miss Follett to the bench, leaned against the tree next to it, and waited. She clenched her hands in her lap, took a deep breath, and began. “I need to escape. My father is forcing me into a marriage I do not want.” Cautiously, she raised her eyes to meet his and he noted the tears at the edges.

  He reached for his handkerchief and extended it to her as he came to sit beside her. “Is there no other way out of this marriage? Surely, they cannot force you to the altar. We do live in a civilized society.”

  “Civilized?” A short bark of laughter escaped the young woman. “My life has never been civilized. You’d be truly horrified if I told you the things I’ve endured.” She turned slightly to look him in the eye and reached forward to put her hand on his arm. “Truly, if I do not escape tonight I have no other hope except—”

  Phillip’s eyes narrowed as she considered her words. Was she being overly dramatic? Was this a manipulation? Miss Follett wasn’t trying to trap him into marriage herself, was she? From what he understood, she came with a healthy dowry, something he certainly didn’t need. She was far from unattractive and given time during the season her own court of admirers would vie for her favors. Yet he sensed truth in what she claimed and that before him sat a desperate woman. The knight-errant in him fought its way to the surface disturbing the peaceful waters he tried hard to maintain. “What is it you require?”

  “To disappear. Somewhere, anywhere they cannot find me.”

  “And then what? You re-appear elsewhere? How would that be explained? The scandal-mongers would have a feast that could destroy any hope you would have of making a respectable match. What about your future? Where might you live and how would you marry if you are cut off from your father and your inheritance?”

  “You fully understand the complexities of my circumstances, Lord Westcombe. To me this matter is of life and death. My life. My certain death. If I am forced to marry, I guarantee I will be dead within the year. So, my only hope is to escape. Will you assist me?”

  Phillip stared at her, considering, as the silence stretched taut between them. He tended to be a good judge of people and this woman told the truth. Finally, he came to a decision and nodded to her. “Can you remain here for a few minutes? Will you be all right?”

  “You won’t fetch my father?”

  “No, merely a discreet friend who might assist. Trust me. I am a man of my word.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m not alone.” Her face relaxed as she looked up past the tree to the stars twinkling in the sky.

  Phillip wondered at her odd statement. There were other couples in the garden, but none near here. Giving her a short bow he surreptitiously returned to the ballroom. Once he entered he searched until he spied Lord Marcus Remington finishing up a dance with his bride. Phillip wove his way through the crowd to Marcus’s side and whispered in his ear, “I require your assistance.”

  Marcus raised one eyebrow, nodded, and together all three made their way to the hallway and a private room. Phillip shut the door behind them.

  “Well, Phillip, what is it?” Marcus relaxed one hand on his wife’s waist as he stood beside her.

  “I need shelter for a young woman in desperate need.” Now who sounded melodramatic?

  Marcus and Josie exchanged looks before staring at him.

  “Phillip? Why does this woman need immediate shelter?” asked Lady Remington.

  “I’ve done nothing wrong or to be ashamed of. She came to me for help.”

  “What do you want?” asked Marcus.

  His wife nodded her head in agreement.

  “I must spirit her away immediately. Could you depart and have your carriage go down to the corner alley? I’ll bring her there unnoticed. After we arrive at your home, you can hear her story for yourselves.”

  Marcus nodded and escorted Josie out of the room.

  “Dearest, I’m feeling tired and would like to go home now,” Josie simpered as she fanned herself.

  “Certainly dear. You look fatigued.” Marcus’s strong deep voice would suggest they were leaving for that reason alone.

  Phillip slipped out the door of the library and wandered back to the garden, avoiding the few partygoers there. He accidentally came upon a few couples engaged in flirtation before he found his way back to Miss Elizabeth Follett. “Come,” he whispered as he gave her his hand to help her stand.

  “Where…?”

  “You ask for my help yet now you resist? Trust me. I shan’t harm you.”

  “I never doubted that for a minute.” She rushed alongside him as they slipped through a spot in the hedge and made their way down the alley. Staying in the shadows they waited silently for the Remington coach to pull up. The rise and fall of her chest as she caught her breath was distracting.

  He forced himself to focus elsewhere.

  The carriage arrived and Lord Phillip assisted Elizabeth inside, entering behind her and closing the door. Marcus tapped on the roof to signal for them to start and they headed for the Remington home.

  “Lord and Lady Remington, may I present the Honorable Elizabeth Follett to you?” Lord Westcombe intoned.

  “Miss Follett, it is our honor to meet and assist you this evening.” Josie reached across the carriage to squeeze the newcomer’s hand. “You shall be safe with us.”

  “Thank you,” Miss Follett whispered.

  Phillip leaned back against the squabs and willed his pulse to slow. What had he done? He had acted on her behalf but belatedly wondered how this would reflect on him. Where was his neat, orderly life now?

  2

  Lizzy leaned forward to look out the window as they pulled up to the Remington house. Her awareness of the man sitting next to her caused her stomach to flutter. Silly girl! He was a kind soul helping a damsel in distress. Nothing more. Lord Phillip assisted her from the carriage and they followed Marcus and Josie to the entrance of the building. Leading her to the drawing room, Josie requested tea be brought. As Lizzy paced in front of the unlit hearth, Lord Remington moved past her to put the kindling in and strike the match to get a fire started. Phillip had gone to the sideboard for a glass of brandy and brought one for his friend.

  Silence hung in the air until the tea tray arrived and the servants departed, closing the door behind them.

  “I cannot stay long, my parents will miss me if I am not back before the end of the ball,” said Phillip.

  Lizzy stopped pacing as her heart raced. “What?”

  Lord Remington went to her side to escort her to the settee next to his wife who handed her a cup of tea after quietly inquiring how she preferred hers.

  “Phillip, you cannot rescue her and then abandon her here,” Lady Remington protested.

  “I will return once the ball is finished.”

  “But what is to become of me?” Lizzy whispered.

  Phillip looked at Marcus. “Her father is forcing her to marry Lord Wolton against her will.”

  Lord Remington’s eyebrows rose. He nodded. “You were kind to help her escape such a fate. But why would your father do that?”

  A shudder shook Lizzy and she placed her cup and saucer on the table lest she spill it. “Wolton has some kind of hold over my father.” She pulled off her gloves revealing red wrists with the marks of fingers on her pale skin.

  Phillip growled. “Your father did this to you?”

  Lizzy nodded.

  Josie reached over to touch her arm gently above the injured area. “I’m eager to hear your story, but in due time. You may spend the night here until we can figure out how to best assist you.” She glanced over at her husband who nodded in agreement.

  “Phillip, I hope you realize what you’re doing. We don’t want to be caught interfering between a young woman and her legal guardian.”

  Lizzy piped up, “I am of age. I possess my own inheritance.”

  Phillip looked surprised. “Given that, how can your father force you to marry someone you dislike?”

  Elizabeth wouldn’t meet his gaze,
looking down into her teacup as tears started to flow. “Trust me, he will.”

  Josie looked at Phillip with pleading eyes. “We shall figure this out in due time.”

  Lizzy pulled his handkerchief out of her reticule and used it to dab her eyes.

  Lord Westcombe moved over to stand in front of her and she looked up at him. “I’m sorry I must leave. I promise you, I will return in a few hours. I could leave you in no better hands than Lord and Lady Remington’s. You’ll be safe here.” He bowed to her and with a brief good night, he left the room to return to the Manchester ball.

  ~*~

  Twice in one evening he had abandoned Miss Follett. It went against the grain of gentlemanly behavior. Being seen at the dance, however, would absolve him of any participation in the matter. In the end, it could possibly save her reputation and keep him from the parson’s mousetrap.

  The dancing was winding down and he took to the floor with another debutante. After the dance concluded he returned her to her chaperone’s side and sought out his mother. Lady Manchester was short but retained her youthful figure. In spite of a few grey streaks in her light brown hair, she was still considered a beauty. Phillip tended to take after his father in looks and temperament.

  “Oh, Phillip, there you are. I wondered where you had disappeared to.” She tapped his arm with her fan. “Found someone you simply couldn’t resist, did you? I heard the gardens were busy this evening.” She giggled.

  Phillip grew warm at the suggestion he’d been carrying on with a guest on his parents’ property. It saddened him that she would believe something like that of him. Sometimes a past was a hard thing to live down. “You were searching for me, Mother? What can I do for you?”

  “Lord Wolton was agitated earlier as the young woman he was pledged to dance with disappeared. Lord Follett, the young lady’s father, was unable to locate her. We had the withdrawing room checked and surreptitiously asked around but nobody remembers seeing her. It’s as if she has vanished into thin air. I do not need to tell you that this is not the kind of notoriety we want associated with your sister’s come out.” She gave him a coy wink. His mother enjoyed the fact that along with being a squeeze her ball would be remembered for the disappearance of the Follett woman.

  “What do you think has happened to her?” he asked, schooling his features to impassiveness.

  She leaned toward him and was forced to look up as she whispered. “She is worth a fortune and has sole control of the money as of yesterday when she turned one and twenty. Rumor has it that Lord Wolton intended to marry her by Special License tomorrow.” She paused and gave a shiver of disgust. “Personally, Phillip, I think the girl ran away and I couldn’t blame her. I’d do the same if Wolton were my intended groom.”

  “If they were eager for her to wed him, why wait until she gained her majority? She no longer needs his permission for her marriage. I’m praying she is safe from that sorry end. But where would she go? Does she have relatives in town who might shelter and protect her?”

  “None that I’m aware of. It troubles me. A young woman alone in this town is destined for only one thing and already her reputation is ruined by this event.” Lady Remington shook her head sadly. “It’s too bad, really, as she seemed to be a sweet girl and was passably pretty.” Of course, she probably thought no one could ever be as beautiful as her own daughter.

  Phillip listened to his mother and remained silent as he scanned the room for Lord Follett or Lord Wolton. He failed to locate them. “Where is her father and the potential bridegroom now?”

  “I believe they left for the evening in an attempt to keep things quiet so when they find her they can whisk her away to the church and prevent a scandal.”

  “What if they fail to locate her?”

  “I pray for that, Phillip, and I hope she is safe. At some point, however, she will need to access her fortune which will expose her to discovery.”

  “You are far too wise, Mother. Is there anything you need from me for the rest of this evening? I wouldn’t mind calling it a night myself.”

  “Really? Phillip, you seriously cannot be thinking of going to your club or any of those other places tonight.”

  “No. However, I do plan to meet a friend.”

  “Fine. You may leave, Phillip, but remember, I expect you to accompany us to some of the balls this season to help keep an eye on a potential suitor for your sister’s hand. I am counting on your support. I will send a list of entertainments I expect you to attend.”

  “I’ll do my best, Mother.” Phillip bent and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Good night.” He strode out the door and took a brisk walk to the Remington house. He wondered if Miss Follett was yet awake. He wouldn’t mind seeing her again.

  ~*~

  “Come, Elsa will help you change. You are a little taller than me but I’m sure I have a gown that will suit you for sleeping,” Josie urged.

  Elizabeth sank into the chair by the cheerful fireplace. “It’s hopeless. There is no way out of this.”

  “Miss Follett…”

  “Elizabeth please, or Lizzy.”

  “Elizabeth it is, then. A name that speaks of dignity, determination, and grace.”

  Lizzy looked up at that, startled. “Thank you.”

  “You may call me Josie. Now, what is concerning you?”

  Elsa began pulling the pins out of Lizzy’s hair and letting the heavy locks fall down around her shoulders. “My father has evil friends. He told me I needed to marry Wolton. I had no choice. But I’m tired of being a victim of men’s schemes and debauchery.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Lizzy rose as the abigail put the pins on the dressing table and left to get a nightgown. She turned to Josie. “Maybe I can show you. Would you undo my dress?” Elizabeth turned around.

  Josie rose to undo the fasteners going down the back of Elizabeth’s gown. Letting it fall to the floor she pulled up the back of her chemise to reveal her back.

  Josie’s gasp echoed around the room.

  Elizabeth walked behind a screen and finished dressing. She suspected her face was now the color of her hair.

  Josie sat, mouth agape. “I’m so sorry, Elizabeth. I suspect there is much more you are not telling me.”

  “Yes, m’lady.” Lizzy sat across from her with her head bent, awaiting condemnation from the Viscountess.

  “Elizabeth, what you have endured was not your fault. It is a crime this can be done to a young woman with no one to protect her. God loves you, and Lord Remington and myself will do all in our power to protect you from further harm.”

  “You won’t force me to leave? I am unworthy of your kindness.”

  “You are more than worthy. You are a precious young woman who has suffered evil. I suspect your battle will not be only one with your father and disappointed groom, but that a spiritual dimension underlies this.”

  “I don’t understand.” Lizzy folded and unfolded the handkerchief she still held, her thumb unconsciously tracing the initials embroidered in the corner.

  “You’ve been subjected to great evil. More I’m sure than you’ve shared thus far. These things are not normal or in any way condoned by God. Like you, I don’t understand what hold Lord Wolton has over your father that would force him to sell you in this manner. If your suspicions are correct you are destined for more of the same. I will need to share some of this with my husband, and possibly Lord Westcombe, so they can make discreet inquiries.”

  Lizzy panicked. “Must you?”

  “I believe it is necessary if we are to protect you and give you freedom from the terror you’ve experienced.” Josie leaned forward, put her arm on Elizabeth’s, and looked her in the eye. “I want you to be free of the prison you find yourself in. Free to select a husband of your choice. Free to be all God has created you to be as a woman, a wife, and a mother someday.”

  “I never dared to dream that far.” She hugged herself.

  “I understand,” said Josie kindly. �
�I believe it would be good for you to get some rest now. We will talk more in the morning when we can consider this with a fresh perspective as to what’s to be done. By then Phillip might be able to give us information on what happened at the ball when they discovered you missing. I’m sure there was an uproar over that and his mother is relishing the notoriety it is giving her daughter’s come out.”

  “Oh, I’ve ruined it for them, haven’t I?”

  “No. She will be in alt. Never fear. Phillip won’t fail in keeping your secret. He has too much to lose by confessing anything.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “A marriageable man kidnapping a young woman from his parents’ ball? The only way he’d ever live that down would be to marry you himself.”

  Lizzy’s heart sank. “I could never dream so high as to seek someone as fine as him for a husband.”

  “He is quite a figure of manhood is he not? A man of honor, as well. You can trust him. Now get some rest.”

  “May I keep the fire burning?”

  “That’s fine. I’ll instruct Elsa.” She rang the bell and the maid appeared.

  “You’ve been all kindness, m’lady.”

  “Josie.”

  “Thank you, Josie.”

  “It is our pleasure. Sleep well and have pleasant dreams.” Josie departed after giving discreet instructions to the maid.

  Lizzy blew out the candles and strode to the window. She lifted the pane. Duke came to sit on the sill. “I’m well, Duke. Thank you. I’ll see you on the morrow.”