hear voices in the drawing room. The gentlemen were before her. Bentley had asked if he might call her Cousin Isabel. Her lips twitched as she recalled Alexander’s terse reply to this impertinent suggestion, so things remained as they were. Formality would be observed until her husband decreed otherwise. She paused in the open door and he strolled in her direction, his toe curling smile still having the same effect even after all this time.
“Good evening, my dear. Permit me to say that you look enchanting tonight. That is my favourite gown and it suits you to perfection.”
She smiled and dipped in a shallow curtsy, he bowed and taking her hand raised it to his lips. She was uncomfortably aware Bentley was avidly observing this play between them. Gently removing her fingers she turned and nodded to the young man.
“Mr Bentley, I see your tailor has found you garments which meet with your approval. You look exactly as you did before.”
She heard a strange choking sound behind her; Alexander was doing his best not to laugh. Bentley preened and smoothed down his lurid cherry-pink and gold waistcoat.
Mr Smith knows exactly what I like; he had several outfits put by that fitted me perfectly. I feel I’ve returned to my old self. I’m glad you approve, my lady.”
Fortunately dinner was announced and she was saved from having to dissemble. Alexander offered his arm and she took it leaving Bentley to follow behind.
The dinner was served as she’d instructed, the removes were plain fare as fancy cooking did not suit her digestion at the moment. As the last cover was cleared she rose gracefully and nodded to both men. “I shall leave you to your port, gentlemen. No doubt you’ll join me in the drawing-room in due course.”
Both men had scrambled to their feet and Alexander pulled a face as she walked past. He would not dally. Not wishing to be trapped in further tedious banalities she removed to the pianoforte. Alexander had brought her several sheets of music from London and she was eager to try them out.
As always, once she started playing she became lost in the music and was unaware she had company until she finished and the final notes died away. The silence was shattered by raucous cheering and loud applause from Bentley.
“I say, your grace, that was excellent playing, I’ve never heard better.”
Closing the instrument she stood up. “Thank you, Mr Bentley, for your kind words. And thank
Once they were comfortably settled in front of the roaring fire Alexander leant back in his chair and addressed his cousin. “Bentley, you have yet to tell me exactly what took place at this inn. Also I need the name of the place so I can send your reckoning to them and recover your pocket watch.”
The man looked worried and fiddled with his exaggerated shirt points. “To tell you the truth, my lord, I misremember the name of the establishment. It was a filthy day, a positive blizzard blowing and the driver stopped at the first hostelry we came upon.” He paused and then his face lit up. “I have it. The coachman will be able to tell you exactly where it was, after all he could see where we were going.”
Alexander nodded. “I shall speak to him tomorrow. Never fear, your watch will be returned to you. Do you wish me to pursue the matter of the robbery?”
“No, sir, I expect it’s far too late to apprehend the varmints. They will be long gone by now and the landlord won’t inform on them. Those sort of people tend to stick together, do they not?”
“In which case there’s no more I can do. I shall pay for the replacement of your wardrobe; you shan’t be out of pocket. Another thing, Bentley, the east wing shall be yours as long as you wish to reside here. However, when we reopen Newcomb in the spring this place will need extensive repairs to the roof. Therefore I suggest you remain in Grosvenor Square until your accommodation is ready for you.”
“Of course, I don’t wish to intrude. I can assure you, your grace, I much appreciate your generosity. I know I am no longer likely to be in line for the title but your settlement and sponsorship has given me a new direction. I can now live the life of a gentleman, something I had never aspired to until your lawyers contacted me.”
Isobel had heard quite enough, time she retired to the blessed peace of her own apartment where she could read her novel without interruption. “If you’ll both excuse me, I shan’t remain for the supper tray.”
Alexander was up before her and offered his hand to assist her from her chair. With a smile she accepted. The young man bowed politely in her direction.
“Your grace, forgive me, but as I’ve no wish to intrude, would it be possible for me to know at what time you rise to take your dogs for a walk? I also enjoy an early-morning stroll and will ensure I don’t come down at the same time as you.”
She looked at him in surprise. He was more the kind of gentleman who would lie in bed until midday than one who got up with the lark. However, his question was perfectly civil and demanded a similar reply. “I no longer come down at first light but around eight o’clock . Please, Mr Bentley, feel free to get up whenever you wish, we stand on no ceremony here. If you require breakfast earlier than that you only have to ask.”
“No, my lady, I do beg your pardon, I’ve no intention of asking your household to change arrangements on my account. I shall take my constitutional first thing.”
What an odd conversation. Alexander shook his head equally puzzled. The warmth of his gaze lifted her spirits as she made her way upstairs. The evening had not turned out nearly as wearisome as she’d feared, but she’d had enough of both of them tonight.
Bentley had talked of nothing but fashion and gossip, and there was nothing more tedious than hearing
The following morning Isobel was woken by voices beneath her window. How curious—who could possibly be outside so early? Then she recalled Bentley had told her he was taking an early morning walk, he must be speaking to one of the outside men.
She was about to go back to sleep when something about the conversation bothered her. She rolled out of bed and went to the window, peeping around the heavy curtain and pressing her nose against the shutter.
Good heavens! Bentley was outside but he was talking to two unpleasant individuals who were certainly not employed at Newcomb. The taller man, his face obscured by a muffler and pulled down cap, was angry.
“You ran away from us. Don’t think your belongings are enough to settle what you owe my master. He has your vowels and he wants payment.”
“I told you, I have nothing of my own. I’m dependent on Rochester. You have my word I will pay you as soon as I am solvent.” Bentley sounded desperate. He grasped the tall man’s sleeve. “You shouldn’t be here. The duchess is increasing and the duke will toss me aside if I anger him. If your master is patient, then he will get his money eventually.”
Bentley glanced up—had he somehow detected her presence at the window? Hastily she retreated deeply disturbed by what she’d heard. The young man obviously had gambling debts and the person he owed money to was prepared to take what he owed by violent means.
She must get dressed and speak to Alexander. He would know what to do. She rang the bell and paced the room until Sally appeared.
“Please send word to my husband; I wish to see him urgently.”
Sally curtsied. “Yes, your grace. I shall go myself.”
Scarcely ten minutes later her bedchamber door flew open and Alexander appeared with his cravat poorly tied and his hair on end. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Are you unwell?”
“No, nothing like that. It’s Bentley. I was woken by him talking to two ruffians outside my room. They were threatening him over his gaming debts. Heaven knows what devil he owes money to.”
“Devil take the man! He’s an infernal nuisance. Don’t worry, my love, I shall have the intruders apprehended and settle Bentley’s debts this time. However, I shall make it abundantly clear I will not do so again.”
His face was hard—his eyes slate grey. She felt sorry for the young man. “Thank you, Alexander. I’m afraid I can’t like your cousin, but I must own I feel a trifle sorry for him. He seems to attract disaster.”
“Return to bed, my dear, leave matters to me.”
