Never Land the First Fish

Chapter Fifteen: Part 1

Gills couldn't stop his knee bouncing as he sat in Baron Rookscombe's parlor waiting for Julia, hoping against hope his presence wouldn't also involve Miss Kilbrierry. He had no wish to cause Julia any trouble with her employer, but she needed to know there were emissaries from her family in New York, before they came upon her unawares. He was terrified Lord Piero or Lord Stocke would come to the door at any moment, ready to drag Julia back to England by hook or by crook.

He should be advising her to go, backing it up with his own willingness to be subject to the English justice system. But he had made her a promise to support any path she decided to take. He owed a great deal to Maddox, but nothing to Maddow's brother or the Duke of Wellbridge's factotum. It was fortuitous he and Maddox were of the same mind—that Lady Julia needed to be protected.

Julia came in, covered in a long work apron, a tape measure around her neck, a row of pins in her left cuff, and a pair of scissors in one pocket. He hated seeing her dressed like a drudge.

"What is it, Gills? Is something wrong?"

"Something besides you working as a maid for your living?"

"Yes, something besides that, for I will not hear another word on the matter. If you came to my place of employment to—"

Gills held up a hand. "Pax. I came with news you will wish to hear. I would not disturb you here without cause. Maddox's brother, Lord Stocke, and Lord Piero d'Alvieri, the Duke of Wellbridge's envoy, appeared at Maddox's residence a few hours ago. They wish us all to return to England with them. You are once again under the protection of the Wellbridge family."

"The Wellbridge family? Who abandoned me to my life with Athol without a second thought? Why on earth would I place myself under the protection of the Wellbridge family?"

"Toad and Sally have reversed the position of the dowager. They are undertaking your support, including any legal help you might require. They only wish for their family to be reconciled and for you to be back in England safe."

With a decided edge of cynicism, she said, "Will they be reinstating my trust, then? Am I to be an heiress again?"

Gills shrugged. "I do not know that, but if I know Sally at all, you should count on it."

"If there is anyone I will never count on, it is Sally Wellbridge. And I am not fond of her husband either. I would rather be gainfully employed and supporting myself. Which is a kind way of saying, I must return to work. Perhaps we can meet later."

Baron Rookscombe stepped into the room. "The butler tells me there are two gentlemen waiting to see you in the gold receiving room, Mrs. Marloughe, when you are finished with the gentleman whom you are entertaining in the library. Am I missing something, or is my daughter's companion making more use of my house than my daughter?"

Julia curtseyed to the baron and offered, "My apologies, Lord Rookscombe. I won't let it happen again."

The baron waved off her apology and advanced on Gills with his hand out. "Gildeforte, isn't it? I didn't think of it last night, but I know that surname. Are you Coventon's son, by any chance?"

"Yes, sir," Gills said, squirming slightly. "The last Marquess of Coventon was my father; my brother is the marquess now."

While Julia stared at the both of them, one after another, Lord Rookscombe said, "My heavens, I hadn't heard that in Brazil. I am so sorry, my boy. Your father was among the very best of men."

"It is kind of you to say."

"I will have to write to my wife. She will want to know right away. Your father did us a good turn many years ago. If there is anything we can do for his son, you need only ask."

"I am quite overwhelmed by the sentiment, Sir."

"To start, I would be pleased if you would join us for dinner, and I believe my daughter intends you do, too, Mrs. Marloughe. However, you have yet more guests waiting, a Lord Piero d'Alvieri and one Lord Stocke. And there you are, my dear."

Emily came into the room, her countenance expecting an explanation immediately.

"I thought it wise to call for Emily," Rookscombe continued, "as I am not at all comfortable with a young lady in the employ of my household meeting with two unknown gentlemen unchaperoned. It is not the done thing at all."

"Three gentlemen, my lord. I think it best I be there when you speak to them, too, Mrs. Marloughe," Gills said.

"They are not unknown, my lord," Julia argued. "I know Lord Stocke from the rounds of parties, and Lord Piero is my father's business partner and my cousin's deputy."

"What is all this? With whom is my companion meeting and to what purpose?"

Gills made his bow to Emily, but Julia put a stop to the round of salutations. "Miss Kilbrierry, I would not like to involve you in my concerns. If only you will give me a quarter-hour, I will be back at my tasks without delay."

"Nonsense, Julia. You are not meeting alone with three unknown men under my father's roof, nor will I allow you to face whatever has followed you from Europe without my consequence behind you. Lead on, Father, we shall all welcome our guests together."