The Rakehell Regency(327)

Pamela felt as though the floor under her feet had opened up and revealed Hell itself. "I don't understand. What would lead you to such an awful conclusion? Please, stop maundering on so, and tell me what has happened!"



"Surely your solicitors would have contacted you by now? Your dear Step-Mama must even now be packing up all your worldly goods to go the Lord only knows where."



Pamela pressed her fingers to her throbbing temple. "I cry your pardon, sir. I have no idea what matters you are speaking of. Please, explain to me what you've heard, and how you've come by this knowledge, when I have not?"



He had the grace to look embarrassed. "I have a friend in the Law Courts. The case came up, was heard, and decided. My friend had recollected me mentioning your name with the highest regard. He was naturally fearful as to what this turn of events would do to your prospects. I told him my feelings for you were in no way altered. That I would be only too pleased to marry you even after this unfortunate loss-"



"But what has happened?" she exclaimed impatiently. "You talk in riddles! Tell me what you've heard."



"That your father's will has been overturned. It appears that your Step-Mama's son from her previous marriage may well have been adopted by your father to be the heir to the Ashton estate, but is not recognized as such by the terms of previous wills, which stipulate an heir of the body, and a male only.



"I'm sorry that you yourself will not be able to inherit the land and house as a result of that requirement. Tracing back the line far enough, several generations, it seems, your cousin pressed his own claim. His lawyers have been most assiduous in asserting his rights to the property. It has thus been awarded to him. Bertie is dispossessed, and your cousin is now the heir to Ashton Manor."



"My cousin? My father was an only child, as was his father before him. I know of no existing kin. Pray, of whom do you speak?"



"Why, Jonathan Deveril of course."



A volcano erupting right in the sitting room could not have astonished or affected her more.



"It can't be true," she whispered, sure the whole house was quaking and about to tumble down around her ears.



"It is, I assure you. I thought that was why you were so much together. Because he was a respectable vicar, and a kinsman of yours. It just shows how wrong one can be in a person."



She shook her head and rose from the sofa to head toward the nearest drawingroom. "No, no! I could not have been so deceived in him. He does not care for wealth and position. He would never-"



The Earl followed along behind. "His friendship with the Duke of Ellesmere has made him ambitious, I dare say. But even that would not be so bad were it not for his moral failings as well. How anyone could be such a consummate hypocrite is beyond me." He shook his head in disgust.



Pamela laughed almost hysterically. "The next thing you know, you'll be telling me Mr. Deveril is really a rake of the first order."



Ferncliffe's face closed up, leaving behind a mask of remote politeness. "I can see I have distressed you, Miss Ashton. I shall take my leave." He began to back away out the door.



Her legs gave way, and she sat on a small gold sofa. "You cannot be in earnest! What are you trying to tell me?"



His dark face closed up. "I refuse to say any more. It's not my place. If your aunt chooses to tell you, it shall be her decision. I refuse to corrupt innocent minds with tales of such appalling behavior." He began to withdraw once more.



Pamela nearly fell over the gilt and blue silk footstool in her haste to pursue him.



"Well, now that you've used the word appalling, I can only assume the absolute worst. So you might as well tell me what he's done, and thus remove the killing suspense," Pamela demanded, trying to hold back the tears.



The Earl shook his head. "I understand Jonathan Deveril is a cousin of yours. But really, what has happened is nothing to either of us. You shall marry me. Anything he does to you or your Step-Mama will not touch us then.



"I do not care about your inferior relations or lack of wealth, I only care about you. You are indeed fortunate to have found a fiancé who loves you well enough to overlook such scandal, and will stand by you when the storm finally breaks."



"Storm?" She sat down in a chair by the door.



"Pray compose yourself. I am going to go speak with your aunt now. When I'm finished, and you have composed yourself, you may speak with her. You'll be much more settled in your mind once you have heard the whole truth.



"But I fear I have shocked you terribly. I will call in your friends to attend you. I shall take my leave of you for the present, my dear."