Mandy by Claudy Conn

are in my home, ” returned the viscount with a show of disdain. He cast his eyes over the page, flanked with Ned on one side of him and Mandy on the other. When he raised his eyes back to the squire it was with hard look, “My dear sir, the poor girl writes that she intends to marry Edward and make him the father of her unborn child. She does not say that he is the father.”
    “Oh come now,” blustered Squire Bevis. “‘Tis there to be read. She has named him as father.”
    “No, sir, her exact words are, ‘and as I have no choice, I shall tell Edward he is the father of my child and he will do the honorable thing and marry me. ’ Such words are a far cry from saying he is in actuality the father. Apparently, the lady was unable to make the real father commit and schemed to trick young Edward into marriage.”
    “Yes, but I told you, I never more than kissed her…” Ned said puzzled. “She would know that…would not be able to tell me I was the father…so what was the game?”
    “Apparently, when she wrote that, she meant for you to do more than kiss her. Perhaps that is why she wanted to meet you early…to seduce you, allow one of the others, to find you in a compromising position,” stuck in the viscount thoughtfully. “Indeed, she did not expect Alfred. She expected the squire and that leaves me to ask…” He turned to Alfred, “You must have met her before you came to the house…”
    “No, I decided to visit with Mandy first,” Alfred answered blandly.
    “But your father’s note requested him to meet with her at seven,” the viscount returned.
    Alfred shrugged, “I went up to the house early…and I didn’t care about being a bit late for a meeting with Celia.”
    The Viscount and Mandy exchanged glances and Mandy said, “Something here is off and I mean to get to the bottom of it. Alfred, I don’t believe you. I think you met with Celia first, before you came up to the house.”
    “Preposterous,” Alfred snorted.
    “What a black scandal,” the squire said. “Simply has never happened in our family before.”
    Ignoring her uncle, Mandy said, “No, what is preposterous you boor, is that you would rather think Ned a libertine and a murderer than think a woman in trouble was looking for an answer with a fraudulent claim,” Mandy turned on him like a tigress and had the satisfaction of seeing him take a step away from her.
    “Nevertheless, Edward must come and see what Connors has to say to all of this,” the squire said on an unrelenting note.
    “You had better go speak with Magistrate Connors then Ned. I will see Mandy home and never fear, we will get out of this absurd tangle,” Skippy offered.
    “No!” Mandy’s hands were on her hips and she was momentarily taken aback as she turned open eyes to Skippy. “You can not mean to allow them to take Ned. Why, you can see…they will not stand up for him.”
    “I am certain that your uncle will take a different tune in public, after all, he is your uncle…” he stared at the squire. “The best way to avoid the scandal you seem to believe will be the worst your family has ever endured, is to make certain, Ned is cleared,” Skippy glared at the squire.
    “You call him our uncle, Skip, but here is the thing. He is not by blood, not by heart. He never liked us. Oh Skippy, he is pleased so pleased to see us brought low. Don’t you see that?” Mandy was in great distress.
    “Mandy, Ned must answer this accusation, if we are to clear his name,” the viscount returned gently.
    “No! The squire will try and display how good and honorable he is bringing in his own family.” She stomped her foot, “Ha! He is neither.”
    “Don’t fret Mandy, we’ll do,” Ned said patting her back. “I’ll go with them and clear it all up. I shall be home for dinner. Have cook truss up one of my favorite dishes, eh?”
    Mandy watched them go and rounded on her friend. “ He won’t be back . I know they won’t release him. Uncle will see