Page 9 of Love Thy Enemy (The Vaughns #4)

M rs. Stuart stilled, the fury seeping from her as she stared at her daughter. If Gregory thought the woman possessed a heart, he might’ve thought the glimmers at the corners of her eyes were the beginnings of tears. But she didn’t, so they couldn’t be.

Nodding toward the carriage, Gregory motioned for Daphne to take the others, though he remained where he was until they were safely tucked away. Turning back to Mrs. Stuart, Gregory studied the lady. Her shoulders sagged, those false tears gathering in strength as she watched the girls.

Dash it all, the lady was talented. Gregory clung to his promise and Rodney’s various confessions over the years. Whatever image she’d presented during the journey here, Mrs. Stuart did not deserve sympathy, and he would not bend.

“As I said, madam, I will not allow you to plague these poor children. They have suffered enough, and I will not tolerate anyone adding to their pain,” he said, infusing his tone with the steely promise that he’d made to his friend.

“I gave Rodney my word that I would protect them, and you may shirk your responsibility, but I do not. Take the first coach back to Leeds, and do not return.”

And with that, Gregory turned on his heel and strode away, climbing into the carriage.

In a trice, the groom had them on their way, leaving Mrs. Stuart far behind them.

Though the air filled with the squeak of the suspension springs, the jangle of the horses’ tack, and the groan of the wood as the carriage rocked, there was a pronounced silence inside the vehicle.

Glancing at her elder sisters, Eva settled into the seat beside them, her legs swinging with each bob of the carriage. No doubt she sensed that something was amiss without understanding the breadth of the troubles that surrounded them.

“She isn’t staying, is she?” asked Daphne, her hands twisting in her lap.

“We have no control over what that woman chooses to do,” he said. “I have warned her away, but I cannot force her from Thornsby. However, you needn’t fret. She is my problem to solve, and I will ensure she does not pester you.”

Gregory yearned to know what to do in such a moment.

He felt a prodding instinct that warned that he needed to do more than simply reassure them, but it didn’t offer any insight into what that ought to be.

As a close friend of their father, he was something of an uncle to them, but despite the girls’ effusive greeting moments ago, these heavy, sullen moments made him all the more aware that he was not their father.

Daphne nodded in acceptance before her gaze turned to the window, and Gregory couldn’t help feeling as though he had failed them. And Rodney.

***

“The bank stocks haven’t performed as anticipated,” said Mr. Copps, his bushy brows pulling low as he studied his notes. “Which is disappointing, but the consols’ steady interest annuities have made up the difference.”

“Do you think we ought to sell?” asked Gregory, rubbing his forehead.

“Not yet. There is still a chance that they might recover. But the railway stock, on the other hand, ought to be disposed of,” replied Mr. Copps before detailing the various investments and financial interests the Stuart family boasted.

Leaning back in Rodney’s armchair, Gregory intertwined his hands and rested them upon his stomach, his eyes tracing the walls of the study and the rows of books resting there; the scent of Rodney’s cigars lingered, absorbed by the paper and mingling with the leather covers.

Despite having spent countless hours here with his friend, the room felt foreign from this vantage.

But then, Gregory had never sat behind Rodney’s desk before his passing.

Forcing his attention to the ledgers before him, Gregory fought to focus on Mr. Copps’ information.

A businessman he may be, but Gregory Vaughn had never developed an interest in investments, interest rates, and annuities.

Yet despite Mr. Copps’ stellar abilities, any gentleman of sense knew one ought to be familiar with his man of business’s goings-on.

“All in all, the investments are healthy and well-appointed,” said Mr. Copps, glancing up from his notes. “As they stand, the children are more than amply provided for.”

Gregory nodded, though that was never in question. Regardless of Rodney’s financial stability, the Vaughn family’s resources were thriving and could easily support the children as well (though not to the degree to which the Stuarts were accustomed).

“My thanks, Mr. Copps,” said Gregory, rising to his feet and extending a hand.

With a nod and a shake, the fellow strode from the room, and the moment the door shut behind him, Gregory sagged into his chair.

He was by no means a dunce when it came to such matters, but his finances were far simpler to manage.

Thank the heavens that Rodney had a man of sense and integrity like Mr. Copps managing the bulk of it.

Another rap on the door had him straightening once more before he called out for the person to enter.

“Mr. Vaughn, sir. I must speak with you,” said Mrs. Ferrell, bustling in with all the determined vigor a housekeeper must possess. “There are several items of concern that require your attention.”

Yet again, Gregory found himself inundated with information, but rather than figures and business plans, it was linens, household accounts, and staffing shortages.

Though he would rather simply place the entirety of the decisions on Mrs. Ferrell’s shoulders, a wise master kept a weather eye on the goings-on of his home, and it would not do to shirk his responsibility.

And that was doubly true of someone who was a mere guardian. Clark was the master now, and it was Gregory’s duty to ensure that his inheritance was properly maintained until the lad was old enough to manage it himself.

Which was when Gregory realized he ought to be taking note of what was being decided—with both the household and the investments.

At fifteen years of age and occupied with his studies, Clark wasn’t prepared to shoulder those burdens, yet that time would fast approach, and Gregory ought to ease him into the matter.

Despite his lack of expertise on domestic matters (as his own household was so small that he had only a single servant, who managed quite easily on her own), Gregory handed off the housekeeper’s marching orders before he relaxed once more into the chair.

Only to shoot upright when another knock sounded at his door.

Gregory muttered an oath that would’ve made his mother box his ears and prepared for more dire business that required his attention—only to see Mrs. Todd sweep in and stand before his desk.

“There is an issue with the girls’ lessons,” she said with a curtsy.

The devil take her and all the rest! What good was it to have an army of retainers on hand if they required constant supervision?

But yet again, Gregory settled into his seat with the calm reassurance that it was the responsible course of action.

If one did not oversee one’s interests, one might wake up one day to discover that one’s investments had failed, the household accounts were in shambles, and the children’s education was severely lacking.

With a nod, he listened as Mrs. Todd detailed the future curriculum, her concerns about the girls, and the supplies they required.

Thankfully, Rodney was a wise master who had hired people with good heads on their shoulders, bringing forth only the truly demanding issues and doing so in a succinct manner. That was a blessing.

“Buy Faith as many books as she wants,” said Gregory, his fingers drumming against the table.

Though Eva was in danger of growing into a coddled and spoiled child, her elder sister was more of a mind to be overlooked and ignored.

If a personal library made the child happy, he wouldn’t begrudge her that.

“Education is important,” he added. “I know her father would agree with me in saying that her intellect needs to be encouraged and cultivated.”

Mrs. Todd gave a sharp nod before pausing, her lungs drawing in a sharp breath as she considered her words. “And Daphne?”

Gregory’s brows rose at that.

“Before his passing, Mr. Stuart and I discussed what was to come next as the young lady is ready to be out.” Mrs. Todd paused, her brows furrowing. “Though I suppose with this unfortunate business, it is best that she does not attend her first public ball this summer.”

Those words struck Gregory, pinning him to his seat like an insect put on display by a naturalist. His throat clamped shut, squeezing the moisture from it as his tongue cemented itself to the roof of his mouth.

Daphne stepping out into society? Of course, he’d known that time was fast approaching, but with all the various troubles that had arisen in the wake of Rodney’s passing, Gregory’s mind had been too full of the here and now to consider what was yet to be.

Daphne was practically grown—ready to take her place amongst the young ladies at the balls and parties—but how was he supposed to guide her through it?

Gregory was no chaperone. Rodney hadn’t been any better equipped to ease a young lady into society, but at least he was her father. This transition was such a topsy-turvy time for anyone, let alone someone without the comfort of her parents to assist her.

Fighting the impulse to groan and rub at his head, Gregory considered Mrs. Todd. “What did you two discuss?”

The governess’s expression softened, her eyes filling with sorrow. “Only that it was an issue to address. He wished to put it off.”