The Heart's Companion by Holly Newman Read Free Book Online Page A

her meeting with the earl.
    "Jane, hand me that other vial of oil, would you please, dear? The one on the end," Lady Elsbeth said, grinding the herbs in her stone bowl one last time before laying aside her pestle on the workbench.
    She picked up the slender green glass bottle and carried it over to her aunt. "Elsbeth," she began pensively, "what is the story behind Lord Royce? I mean, is he really as villainous as I’ve heard? Some of the tales are ten years old if they’re a day, and not every telling has quite agreed on the facts."
    "The Devil’s Disciple?" Lady Elsbeth Ainstree smiled wryly as she took the bottle from Jane. "Not knowing what you’ve heard, I cannot say; however, it has been my experience that tales grow with the telling. Still, it was a particularly nasty story even before time’s embroidery."
    She uncorked the bottle and carefully poured a few drops onto the crushed herbs in the bowl. She recorked the bottle and resumed her work with the herbs. "I remember the incident that sparked the scandal, for it involved the younger sister of a friend of mine. I felt greatly for my friend during the episode. It made a terrible scandal."
    "What exactly happened? I was only what? Ten at the time? I didn’t know anything of it then, of course; but, it was one of the first tales I heard after my come out."
    Lady Elsbeth’s hands slowed, and the expression in her soft, hazel eyes grew pensive as she thought back on that time ten years ago. "I was twenty-three and spending most of my time with my brother, your Uncle Hereward, and his family. I was not part of the social whirl. I think it was measles that time, that your cousins had, I mean.
    "Royce, who had inherited the title from his father three years before, was a Corinthian even at twenty-two. He lived and spent freely. He was wild to a fault. Up to every rig and row imaginable. He didn’t care a groat for what scandalized society. It was all so much grist for the mill. Of course, at that time the Royce family fortune must have seemed immense and inexhaustible. I have heard it said that his wild behavior was the direct result of the repressive childhood he endured. Certainly his mother. Lady Aurelia Morecaster, had no time for children. I believe the tale he told the boys about his mother leaving to visit friends so she wouldn’t have to hear him cry out in anguish or pain. She talked incessantly, I remember, about her sensibilities. "
    Remembering the earl’s comment about his lack of sensibilities and wondering if that came as a result of his mother’s excesses, Jane’s lips drew together in a moue of distaste.
    "Eventually he ran off to Europe with Vivian Montrechet. Vivian was a gay, starry-eyed seventeen-year-old in her first season. From all tales she was very popular with the gentlemen. I believe your Uncle Edward even dangled after her for a time. Needless to say, she only had eyes for the Royce title and wealth."
    "Why did he leave the country and not come back until now?"
    Elsbeth sighed. "Royce was a hot-headed scoundrel and became embroiled in more than one duel. The last was with a Mr. Quarrels and involved an accusation of cheating at cards. To Royce’s credit, I will say the accusation was leveled at Quarrels. Anyway, Royce severely injured the man. For a time it was doubtful he would live. It was strongly suggested to Royce that he go abroad in case Quarrels succumbed to his wounds for which there might have been legal repercussions."
    "Do not tell me this Mr. Quarrels was Mr. Jonah Quarrels?"
    Lady Elsbeth laughed. "I see I will not have to."
    "So where Royce failed, young Mr. Drummond succeeded?" Jane said dryly.
    "If one could call mutual misfortune success."
    "I can understand why he left, but why did he remain exiled when it was seen that Mr. Quarrels would recover?"
    Lady Elsbeth shook her head and shrugged. "Possibly because he did not go abroad alone. Vivian Montrechet accompanied him, and the story was that he lured her with