The Earl’s Disputed Inheritance

  Book Three

  A Scandalous Abduction

  Fenella J Miller

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any method, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of The Author - Fenella J. Miller

  A Scandalous Abduction© Fenella J. Miller, 2022

  This e-Book is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual places or events, the names, characters, incidents, and locations within are from the author’ s imagination and are not a resemblance to actual living or dead persons, businesses, or events. Any similarity is coincidental.

  Cover Design J D Smith

  Chapter One

  Somiton House, London, April, 1816.

  Leo Somiton had led the fruitless search for the missing branch of the family last year – Oliver and his son Simon, who had perpetrated the attempts on the lives of the present earl by setting fire to the house. He thanked the good Lord that everyone had escaped, that the Hall had been repairable, and the somewhat depleted family group were now happily living in the restored central section of the massive building.

  ‘Leo, you’re wool-gathering, Mama has asked us both to attend her in the peacock room,’ his sister Frances, at nineteen years of age his junior by four years, said as she poked him none too gently in the midriff.

  ‘I beg your pardon; I was indeed wondering where the villains that tried to murder us in our beds are hiding themselves. Adam made very sure their funds were frozen so I cannot imagine what they are living on or why those he has employed have yet to find them and bring them to justice.’

  ‘One would have thought that Adam, as the now undisputed Earl of Chalfont, using his vast resources and friends in high places, would have achieved this objective.’

  ‘Mama is doing an excellent job with all our three cousins. Eloise and Millie behave impeccably now without the pernicious influence of their mother. Do you think that Mr Somiton will have married their mother? She too has not returned to her own residence so must be, one presumes, still in the thrall of that evil man.’

  This house in Grosvenor Square was to be his home for the next few months. Grace, Frances and Eloise were to have their come out this Season, but Millie and Jessica would have to wait their turn as at seventeen they were considered too young. He intended to offer for Jessica himself next year but until Adam gave him leave to do so he intended to keep a close eye on her whilst she was in Town. She was far too pretty and vivacious not to be noticed by any gentleman looking for a wealthy heiress. Even if she wasn’t attending the formal events both she and Millie would be allowed to come to family and informal occasions.

  Mama was acting as chaperone but Cousin Charlotte, the Dowager Countess and Grace’s mama, was the girls’ sponsor and was to be hostess for Adam for the Season.

  Leo’s role was to escort the ladies to all the routs, soirées and balls they would be attending over the next three months. Adam, naturally, would be there as the girls were his wards and Richard was to join them with his new bride Demelza in the next day or two. Surely with the formidable twins and himself present they should be able to keep unwanted rakes and fortune hunters from preying on their charges.

  His mother was busy perusing a newspaper and looked up as they walked in. ‘There you are at last, my dears, I have something most exciting to suggest as our first excursion with the girls.’

  ‘We’re hardly settled in, Mama,’ his sister said with a smile, ‘as we only arrived last night. Do we really have to go out today?’

  ‘Don’t be so feeble-hearted, my dear, we are here to see the sights and enjoy ourselves. Pray don’t forget that Jessica and Millie do not have a plethora of balls to distract them, as you others do.’

  ‘I’ll be happy to escort Jessica and Millie wherever you have in mind, Mama,’ he said as he flicked aside his coat-tails and sat down beside her on the chaise longue.

  ‘I’ve just seen that there’s to be an exhibition of antique vases at the British Museum. It says here that one must apply to the Assembly Rooms on any Monday, Wednesday or Friday between ten and two. One must then have one’s name and place of abode written in a book. I intend to send a footman to inscribe our names so that we may visit to view these wonders at two o’clock this afternoon.’

  Leo raised an eyebrow and Frances hid her smile behind her hand. ‘I hate to disillusion you, Mama, but neither of the girls would thank us for taking them to the museum. I’m quite certain that a walk along Bond Street and a visit to Gunter’s in Berkeley Square for an ice would be more popular.’

  His mother was somewhat startled by his reaction but rallied wonderfully. ‘Of course, how silly of me to think either of them would wish to improve their knowledge of antiquities. I shall go on my own. You have my permission to take your cousins for this promenade if you so wish, my boy.’

  ‘I’d be happy to if I can persuade Frances to accompany me. I’d rather have my teeth pulled than enter any of those frivolous emporiums full of frills and furbelows that so enthral the members of the fairer sex.’

  ‘I’d be delighted to come with you. I’ve no need of any further gowns but have no objection to purchasing a ribbon or two if I see something suitable. Shall I find the girls and ask them?’

  ‘You do that, sister, whilst I locate Adam and get his permission for the excursion. Do we need to ask Cousin Charlotte as well?’

  His mother waved her hand dismissively. ‘Absolutely no need, Leo, those two are under my control as she’s quite busy enough managing the social life of the other three.’

  He was here to make himself useful and taking the youngest members of the party under his wing and keeping them out of trouble was one way he could do this. As it also meant he could spend time with Jessica he was more than happy to be seen to be accommodating.

  Adam, despite the fact that it was only half an hour past eight o’clock, was already busy at his desk surrounded by documents and ledgers. As Leo entered one of the two secretaries, Brotherton, rushed past. The other one, a recently appointed young gentleman, he’d not yet been introduced to.

  ‘I won’t interrupt you for more than a moment, Adam. I just want to make sure that it’s in order for me to take Jessica and Millie out this morning for a promenade.’

  ‘That’s harmless enough. I must have had bats in the belfry to agree to bring all five young ladies here at the same time. It’s a pity that Eleanor is so recently a mother as her steadying influence is sorely needed.’ He pointed to a pile of invitation cards on the top of his desk. ‘Even with my two secretaries spending half the day opening and answering these, I can’t keep track of their overcrowded itinerary.’

  ‘I’m relying on Cousin Charlotte to inform me in good time as to exactly what I’m expected to be doing each day. I know the first big event of the Season is our ball being held here in three weeks’ time. Until then, I seem to recall, there are just soirées, musical evenings and informal supper parties which the entire family can attend.’

  ‘Reynolds,’ Adam gestured to the nervous young man sitting on the far side of the study at a small desk of his own.

  ‘Yes, my lord, what would you like me to do next?’

  ‘Take these invitation cards away. Arrange them in chronological order and then compare them with the list that Brotherton has already collated. When that’s done, take the two lists to the countess so that she might decide which invitations are to be accepted.’

  The young man scuttled away and Adam shook his head in disgust. ‘I’m not impressed with my new employee – God knows what made me take him on – however, I’ll allow him to remain for his three months’ probation. I should have kept my experienced staff and not allowed them to work with Richard in the London office at the Grand Surrey docks.’ He sighed theatrically and ran his fingers through his hair in exactly the same manner that his identical twin brother did.

  Leo was still smiling as he headed for the drawing room where he could hear the lively chatter that indicated the young ladies were together. He sincerely hoped that only Jessica and Millie wished to go abroad as the thought of being the sole male escort to five eligible and volatile girls didn’t appeal. He was a military man at heart and wished he could return to his former life as a captain in the cavalry.

  *

  Jessica Somiton preferred to sit quietly and listen to the others laughing and giggling and talking about matters that she had no interest in. Millie, also a Somiton but only a distant cousin, bitterly resented the fact that she wasn’t to have her come out this Season but for Jessica the reverse was true.

  If she had her way then she’d never have to undergo the torture of endless evenings in overheated chambers being obliged to converse with complete strangers with which one had absolutely nothing in common. Even worse, one would then have no option but to dance with a series of gentlemen who ogled her and thought that every word they spoke was statesmanlike and expected to be treated like a god by someone as insignificant as herself.

  ‘Jessica, pay attention, you are forever daydreaming,’ Grace – who should by rights be called Lady Grace but insisted on informality – said sharply.

  ‘I beg your pardon, was there something you wanted me to fetch for you?’

  ‘I have servants to fetch things for me. You are my cousin and I wish you’d stop behaving as if somehow you didn’t deserve to be here.’

  ‘After what my horrible father and brother tried to do I’m surprised I wasn’t sent away. Every day I tremble at what might have happened...’

  There was a general outcry at her words and a rush of genuine support. All the girls insisted that none of it had been her fault and she was as likely to have been incinerated as any of them.

  ‘But they weren’t your immediate family. I feel tainted by association.’ She forced her mouth to curve in a facsimile of a smile. ‘Now, dearest Grace, what is it you wish to say to me?’

  The answer to her question was never given as at that moment Frances hurried in. ‘Excellent, Millie and Jessica you are to go out with my brother for a promenade and then partake of an ice at Gunter’s. You must go at once and put on your bonnets and pelisses as Leo doesn’t like to be kept waiting.’

  Millie was on her feet immediately with a squeal of excitement and Jessica followed her as eagerly. She could hear the chorus of protests from Millie’s older sister, Eloise, that she wasn’t to be included in this unexpected treat.

  Leo, the brother of Frances, was the only gentleman she wasn’t uncomfortable talking to. They both had a fondness for horses, dogs and outdoor pursuits and she’d spent many happy hours riding around the vast grounds of Somiton Hall with him.

  He’d entertained her with his anecdotes about his life as a cavalry officer in the army and she’d regaled him with less amusing stories of her unhappy childhood. He’d shown her nothing but kindness, treated her like a younger sibling and she dearly wished he would see her as something else. She would be eighteen years of age in June and considered herself a woman grown – if only he would see her in that way and not as a child.

  There were so many bedchambers in this huge London house that there was no necessity for her to share and for that she was grateful. Of course, Millie and Eloise preferred to be in the same apartment and for some reason Frances and Grace were also sharing here which they didn’t do at home.

  As she was on her own she also had a personal maid whereas the others had to share. Sally was as unlike her in personality as chalk was to cheese. The girl was the same age but with a wealth of experience of the world having been in service since she was only ten. Her tales of life below stairs and the antics of her betters was constantly entertaining. She’d been a maid of all work at Somiton Hall and they’d struck up an unlikely friendship. Therefore, when Aunt Estelle, which was how the girls addressed Mrs Somiton, suggested Sally would be an ideal abigail Jessica had been delighted to agree.

  ‘Sally, we’re to go out and explore the neighbourhood. I wish to wear my new cherry-red bonnet and the matching pelisse.’

  ‘I’ll find the boots that go with those items, miss. Are you taking the parasol?’

  ‘It’s more like to be rain than be sunshine, Sally. Please be quick as you’ve also to get ready yourself. I couldn’t possibly go on this excursion without my maid.’

  In record time Jessica was ready. She stopped to admire her new headwear – she particularly liked the fashionably long brim and the bunches of cherries that adorned it. These were the exact same colour as the silk lining and the ribbons that kept it in position on her head.

  Millie was waiting impatiently in the grand entrance hall but there was, fortunately, no sign of their escort. ‘I’ve been waiting this age for both you and Leo. Do you think it’s going to rain? Do you have sufficient in your reticule to purchase anything we might want?’

  ‘We have exactly the same pin money each month. Surely you’ve not spent all yours?’

  Adam was exceedingly generous with all of them and Jessica had a bag of gold in guineas hidden away in her dressing table as she never spent more than a few coins on fripperies each month.

  ‘Eloise told me that you saved all your allowances whereas we spend ours. Therefore, you are in a much better position than I to pay for things.’

  There was one thing Jessica wouldn’t allow and that was for any of the girls to put upon her. She might be the quietest, the least attractive of the five of them, but she wasn’t so feeble as to be bullied. She certainly wasn’t going to dip into her savings for Millie.

  ‘I have sufficient for my needs; I suggest that you ask Leo to subsidise you because I’m certainly not going to.’

  The discussion would have become more acrimonious if the missing gentleman hadn’t at that precise moment strolled into view. Neither of them had any intention of alienating him as he would have no hesitation in cancelling the excursion. He might not be as old, as wealthy or quite as large in stature as either Adam or Richard but he was just as formidable in his own way. After all, had he not killed men for a living?

  A sensitive and well brought up young lady would have been disgusted and held Leo in dislike for his profession but to her it just made him more courageous and more interesting. She smiled at her nonsense. Most young ladies loved an officer in a red coat and she doubted any of them even considered how he made his living.

  ‘I apologise for keeping you waiting, girls, but I didn’t expect either of you to be so speedy. In my experience young ladies are infamous for being tardy.’

  Millie rushed forward; she was always confident – perhaps a tad too confident. ‘I am so happy to be going out with you, Leo. I’ve never walked along Bond Street. Do you think I look my best in this new gown?’

  The gown in question was a startling shade of puce and festooned with ruches and frills of all sorts. In her opinion it was quite hideous and inadvertently she glanced at Leo and he winked.

  ‘It’s certainly eye-catching, my dear. We cannot walk three together...’

  ‘Then I shall walk with you as Jessica has her maid to accompany her.’ Millie moved closer but he shook his head.

  ‘No, you and Jessica will walk together.’ He smiled down at Sally who dipped in a small curtsy at his notice. ‘Sally, isn’t it? You will walk behind the young ladies and I shall be behind you.’

  There was something a little amiss with this suggestion and although she hesitated to contradict him Jessica felt she had to point out the flaw. ‘Leo, as neither of us has ever traversed the streets of London it’s highly likely we shall be lost within a few moments if you leave it to us to lead the way.’

  ‘Fear not, Jessica, I shall shout my directions from behind you. Remember, girls, you must address me as Cousin Leo when in public.’

  There had been no need for him to remind her but Millie was a feather-brain and would have forgotten they must conform to society’s rules when outside the family residence. They stepped out into the square and she paused to admire the spring blooms burgeoning in the central garden around which the grand houses were built.

  Millie glanced over her shoulder. ‘I do hope Leo isn’t going to shout as it will draw unpleasant attention to us; people will think that we’ve been taken out by a madman.’

  ‘He was jesting, I’m certain he has no intention of shouting directions. I do know that if we walk down the street ahead of us, Grosvenor Street, it will eventually lead us to Bond Street. However, in which direction we go from there, I’ve no idea.’

  Her words carried to the gentleman strolling along behind them. ‘We shall turn right and walk along Bond Street, then turn right again into Bruton Street which will lead us directly to Berkeley Square. There we shall find the famous Gunter’s and I shall treat you both to an ice.’

  Jessica enjoyed the walk and looked with interest at the other pedestrians – especially at the ensembles worn by the ladies. She abhorred frills and roulades, unlike her cousin, and her own gown was simple and she hoped, suitably fashionable. She was much encouraged by observing at least three other ladies, extremely elegant ones, wearing similar bonnets to her own.

  Millie, without asking Leo’s permission, dashed into an emporium selling gloves and other essential incidentals. ‘Sally, please stay with Miss Millie, she mustn’t be alone in there.’

  Leo had paused to greet two friends but was obviously keeping a close watch on the pair of them. He strode to her side looking none too pleased.

 

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