Her housekeeper glanced nervously at Alexander. “I’m afraid the only chamber available isn’t really suitable, but it’s the only one that isn’t leaking apart from the room you’re occupying, my lady.”
He nodded. “It matters not where I sleep, Watkins, I shall be leaving at first light tomorrow.” He stared at Isobel daring her to contradict, to tell him he was not fit enough to ride.
This was his decision, she would not gainsay him. “In which case, Mary, make sure breakfast is available at dawn.” She smiled briefly at her husband. “As you’ll be leaving before I rise, I bid you a safe journey, Alexander.” She did not add she hoped he would return soon to visit.
When, heavy eyed, she came down the next morning she discovered he had already departed. The snow had all but gone, a watery sun lit up the soggy park. Alexander was mad to leave on horse-back, but he was a man grown and well able to manage his own affairs without her interference. It might be several more days before the roads were passable and his valet arrived with the carriage. Therefore, with so much tension between them she was relieved he’d chosen to go.
Even the dogs were subdued. They moped about the place as if their best friend had departed not someone they had only known a few days. The fine weather meant repairs could be done to the roof and the other bedrooms with damaged ceilings. Sam liaised with the estate manager and soon the place was filled with the sound of hammering and banging as a dozen local men got busy.
She had insisted the employment was given to those who most needed it. Work was scarce everywhere at the moment. With the price of corn so high life was difficult for the less fortunate. Resigning herself to spending the next few days with the house shrouded under holland covers to protect it from the dust and debris created by the workmen, Isobel retreated to the small sitting-room at the rear of the house.
Into the middle of this chaos Duncan arrived with Alexander’s missing luggage, closely behind him was Bentley who had been obliged to spend the past few nights at a disreputable roadside inn where he’d met with the most unfortunate accident.
“Mr Bentley, how distressing for you. To have your belongings stolen in that way is beyond belief. I am so sorry for your misfortune.” The young man was no longer dressed immaculately, nor was his hair oiled or his shirt points freshly starched. Now he was a bedraggled sight, looked as if he had been sleeping in his clothes for the past week, which it turned out was not far short of the truth.
“I do beg your pardon for returning here like this, your grace, but I had no option. The robbers left me with no money to pay my shot. They took my trunk, and everything I own was in it. I was obliged to leave my fob-watch behind as surety. I can’t return to London as I am.”
“Of course you can’t. You must remain here until you have fully recovered from your horrible experience. Unfortunately I don’t believe any of Alexander’s garments will fit you, but no doubt we can find something for you to change into for now.”
He looked pathetically grateful. He was no longer the bombastic young man who had arrived on her doorstep unannounced and unwanted, the previous week. Her heart went out to him. He must stay with her until something could be done about his wardrobe, but where he would sleep was a conundrum she would leave Mary to solve.
“Your grace, I do beg your pardon for intruding a second time. I see the house is under covers. Has there been some sort of disaster here as well?”
“The roof collapsed under the weight of the snow and it is being repaired at this very moment. This means you’ll be obliged to sleep in the nursery, but Alexander did so without complaint.”
“I thought his grace had returned to London.”
She could hardly tell him Alexander had galloped back because of him and had also sustained a serious injury in the process. The poor man had suffered enough indignities already these past days. “His horse cast a shoe and he was obliged to turn back and then the weather closed in and he stayed until the beginning of the week. We must send word to Grosvenor Square that you’re safe here with me. His grace will be worried when he finds you absent.”
Hiding her smile behind her hand she turned away. Alexander was more like to be enraged his heir had returned to Newcomb than worried he was not in Town with him. Bentley was harmless enough now the starch had left his person as well as his apparel, and might even be amusing company for however long it took to find a tailor to replace his missing clothes.
“I’ve no wish to cause you any aggravation, your grace, especially as matters stand. I shall endeavour to bother you as little as possible whilst I’m here.”
Whatever could he mean? Then she saw his eyes resting on her bump, she had forgotten to disguise her pregnancy. Too late to repine, she must try and make him feel wanted in spite of the fact he now knew his position as the duke’s heir was possibly to be of short duration.
“My husband, when he set about the search for you, did not know I was in an interesting condition. We both believed we would not be blessed with children. By the time we realized, the lawyers had contacted you.”
This feeble exclamation was the best she could do. He would no doubt draw the correct conclusion, that they had been estranged at the time which was why her pregnancy had been a surprise to Alexander.
He accepted the information with equanimity. “I’m more than delighted for you both. To tell you the truth I never really expected to inherit the title. However, his grace has seen fit to set up a generous annuity for me and for that I am extremely grateful. This means I can live comfortably and mix in the highest circles, something that would not have been possible if the lawyers had not discovered me.”
“I’m glad you’re not disappointed by the news. Whatever happens both Alexander and I shall consider you a member of the family in future.” What had prompted her to say such a foolish thing? The very last thing she needed at the moment was someone else watching the disintegration of her marriage. It would be impossible to hide from him her intention to depart after the baby was born. If the child turned out to be a girl, how would things be then?
He bowed, looking decidedly silly in his dishevelled state. “I thank you, your grace. I’ve no close family of my own. In future I shall consider Cousin Alexander and yourself as my dearest relatives.”
This embarrassing conversation was brought to a halt by the appearance of Duncan. “Your grace, I’ve found some garments that will do for Mr Bentley. Shall I act as his man for the present?”
“Yes, that would seem a sensible solution. Mr Bentley, if you would care to go with Duncan, he will take care of you.”
The unkempt young man followed the immaculate valet disconsolately. No doubt he was anticipating with some dismay what he would be obliged to wear for the foreseeable future. Duncan must have discovered items Alexander had worn in his youth, nothing he possessed at the moment would do, he was a head taller and almost double the width of his erstwhile heir.
The ride back to London was decidedly unpleasant and Alexander and his two grooms were more than grateful to dismount in the stable yard behind his palatial home. The head stable lad appeared to take the reins of his mount.
“He will need walking to cool down, also check his tendons carefully, it was sticky going.”
Leaving Rufus to be taken care of he limped to the side entrance surprised word of his arrival had not reached the house. He stepped in to come face-to-face with Foster.
“Your grace, I must apologise for not being here to welcome you. We did not expect you back today.”
The butler made it sound as if he was remiss by not sending word ahead of his arrival at his own home. He stared frostily and Foster recoiled unused to such treatment. “I shall need someone to act as my valet, Duncan is elsewhere.”
“I will see to it, your grace. We have several suitable footmen who can act as your man until Duncan returns. Shall you be requiring luncheon?”
“Soup and fresh bread and cheese will be sufficient. Have it sent up to my chambers, I shall eat there whilst I wait for my bath to be drawn.”
He was halfway up the staircase when he recalled Bentley must be in residence somewhere. “I wish to speak to Bentley, have him come to my study one hour from now.”
“I’m sorry, your grace, but Mr Bentley isn’t here. We thought he was with you at Newcomb.”
God dammit! Surely he should have made his way to Grosvenor Square by now? He was no doubt waiting for the roads to clear and would be along later today to annoy him. “He must have been obliged to stay somewhere en route. Make sure his apartment is prepared, he will be here shortly.” The butler hovered as if he had something on
