Chapter 13 : An Aid in Need

The Marquess of Canterbury held two things in utter contempt: the promiscuous and the wicked. By some inexplicable twist of fate, both categories led him to the unconventional and intriguing Lady Blanchard, their paths crossing in a series of most unusual encounters.

Amidst his busy schedule, the Marquess took the time to pay Huntington Hall a visit. His sudden appearance did not sit right with Lloyd Cunningham, who was not at all prepared to receive a guest.

In fact, he was still in bed when servants notified him of the Marquess's arrival.

"Good morning, Your Grace," Richard, the Blanchard family butler bowed respectfully after he opened the front door for the Marquess. "Please allow me to guide you to the drawing room."

"Hm."

The gentleman walked past the threshold and followed behind Richard. At the butler's insistence, he finished two cups of tea before Lloyd Cunningham even made his appearance.

The man was a generation older than he was, but his lack of peerage forced him to defer to the Marquess. Which, as the younger man keenly took note of, Mr. Cunningham did not take pleasure in.

"Good morning, Your Grace," a forced smile spread across his face. "I am deeply sorry for the wait. If only I knew beforehand that you were coming, I would have prepared something to welcome you to Huntington Hall."

Something? What, exactly? Probably a pack of burly hounds?

The Marquess barely restrained a scoff.

"Is that so? I would have notified the Earl of Huntington or his official heir if they were here. Alas, the earldom has yet to claim a new master."

Ugly purple specks started dotting Lloyd's face, draining the shadow of a smile from his face.

The Marquess could not help but take pleasure in Lloyd's reaction.

"That being said, what are you doing here, Mr. Cunningham?" He smoothly popped the question.

"I... I live here," the elder man stammered.

"Have you always lived here?"

"No, I used to live in the countryside..."

"Ah. So why are you here now?"

Lloyd's throat tightened. He felt out of place, standing awkwardly in the center of the drawing room. Taking a seat before the Marquess felt presumptuous, yet remaining on his feet seemed disrespectful – especially considering he was to inherit Huntington Hall.

Finally, resolving the inner debate, Lloyd said, "I've taken the liberty of acting as Huntington Hall's temporary steward," as he cautiously lowered himself into a sofa across from the Marquess.

"Have you, now?"

The Marquess tapped at the wooden armrest next to him with his long fingers.

"Mr. Cunningham, you have consciously infiltrated the Earldom of Huntington's grounds. Now, do I need to ask guards to drag you out of this house or will you remove yourself at once?"

Lloyd's eyes widened in shock.

"But Your Grace!" He exclaimed. "After the late Earl's demise, there is no one else but me to inherit the earldom! Surely the Crown Office does not mind if I move in earlier than expected!"

A soft sigh escaped the Marquess as he shook his head slowly.

"There is still Lady Marguerite Blanchard, Mr. Cunningham."

"Who is an impostor," Lloyd readily supplied. "The real heir passed away during childbirth. I have enough eyewitnesses to support my claim."

"I heard."

The Marquess smiled.

"If it proves to be true, then the earldom shall return to the Crown," he reminded the elder man. "In that case, you have committed even a greater crime, Mr. Cunningham. If you cooperate well with me, I shall not report this matter to His Majesty the King."

At this point, Lloyd's face was as pale as a corpse.

He wanted to say that the earldom should go to him, the only other male descendant in close relation to the Blanchard family, but who was he to make such a claim?

Even his surname was Cunningham and not Blanchard!

"I... I understand," he stammered. "I shall follow your direction, Your Grace."

Just like that, the Marquess banished Lloyd and Nicholas Cunningham out of Huntington Hall's hallowed halls.

Before the hero took his leave, Richard, the butler, hastily approached him.

"Your Grace," he spoke in an urgent tone. "After Mr. Cunningham disallowed Lady Marguerite from stepping foot into Huntington Hall, the Lady has yet to be seen anywhere and her whereabouts are unknown. Your Grace, is it possible for this servant to request your help in finding the Lady?"

The Marquess shot him an unreadable look.

A little disdain, probably, all the while knowing that the butler was powerless against Lloyd Cunningham and his machinations.

"She is safe," the Marquess replied curtly. "She has been staying in Locksworth Manor for the time being, and will remain there until we depart for London."

Richard's eyes widened in surprise.

"London?"

"Yes, to attend this year's Debutante Ball."

Richard looked like he was about to cry and smile at the same time.

"That sounds wonderful!" He cried out. "Thank you for your help and patronage, Your Grace."

First, it was Lady Blanchard herself and now it was her butler. The Marquess could never get used to being thanked so often within several days.

"Your Grace, if I may ask you for another favor?" Richard tried. "There is something I would like to return to the Lady."

"..."

The meticulously wrapped box landed in Locksworth Manor barely two hours later, with a card attached to it.

"The Messrs. Cunninghams, both senior and junior, have departed Huntington Hall today. Their return is contingent upon inheriting the earldom.

Now, on a separate note, your ever-solicitous butler, Richard, expressed concern for your well-being. He entrusted me with this box with sincere wishes toward your debut in the upcoming Debutante Ball."

Maggie carefully unwrapped the box and inspected the content.

As soon as she lifted the lid and pried open the inner package, she gasped in surprise.

Inside was the white gown she and her late father picked together for the Debutante Ball.

A complicated mix of emotions flooded Maggie's heart as she held the precious gown to her chest.

Maybe her debut was not going to be disastrous after all.

Maybe, just maybe, her father was watching her from above, and planning to guide her along the way.

And maybe, just maybe, he was the one who sent Marquess of Canterbury her way to aid her in her times of need.