CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

C HAPTER T WENTY -F OUR

T wo days later Charlie was in his study when Royston delivered a letter from Grace instead of his sister herself. He shook it open.

Oriana, whom he had fetched to join them for breakfast, looked over his shoulder. “She has never seen anything regarding you marrying anyone, and your grandfather never mentioned it either.” Then she sucked in a breath. “She and your brother-in-law will be here to attend Lady Stern’s ball.”

He reached back, brought her head down, and kissed her. “The whole family will arrive soon. The important thing is that no one has any knowledge of a contract.”

She nodded, but worry still clouded her mien. “I would still feel better if we searched through all your father’s documents.”

“We will. I’ll have Jamison start searching as soon as he returns.” Charlie wondered what was keeping his secretary. He’d expected him by now. “Which should be this evening.”

“Would we not be better served by doing it ourselves?” Worry entered her eyes and her voice.

“Sweetheart, he knows where everything would be. The first thing he did when I hired him was to catalog all the documents in the house going back to my great-grandfather.”

Her brows drew together. “And he never mentioned a marriage contract or agreement to wed?”

“He did not.” Charlie wished with all his heart that he could convince her that without a doubt such a document did not nor had ever existed.

“I am sorry for doubting.” Oriana covered her face with her hands. “I trust you. I—”

Drawing her closer, he wrapped an arm around her. “You’re just afraid something will turn up whether it’s real or not. I don’t blame you. We have given ourselves to each other and that has consequences. Unfortunately, it’s not something we can tell the world.”

“I need to, I must stop.” She pressed her lips firmly together. “I am not going to mention it again. The only one who claims to have knowledge of its existence is Pettigrew, who is not trustworthy.”

“Don’t forget that he wanted a contract with the sixth earl, and that’s me.” Charlie grinned at her, trying to ease her mind.

“That too.” She kissed him and straightened. “I have work to do here before I visit tenants this afternoon.”

“Would you like me to accompany you on your visits?”

“I would.” The tips of her lips rose. “If you wish to. Every time you’re on my estate you end up repairing something.”

“I don’t mind at all. And once everyone knows we are going to marry, I want them to have a good opinion of me.”

“I think they already do.” She finally smiled. “I will see you at luncheon.”

“I’ll see you then.” He watched the sway of her hips as she left his study.

When she reached the door she glanced at him over her shoulder. “I am delighted that I gave myself to you and vice versa. It actually gives me more confidence.”

That surprised him, but he was happy as well. “What are you doing this morning?”

“I am going over the household accounts. Charlotte thought it best that I become familiar with them as soon as possible. I must say that I agree. Mine are up-to-date. I can only trust yours are as well.”

“Considering my sister took charge of them when she arrived, I assume so.”

“Excellent.” Oriana stepped into the corridor and closed the door behind her.

If only they could wed as soon as his secretary returned from Town. But he did want his family to be there. Thinking of family, he was surprised Grace hadn’t rushed down. Then again, he was an adult and needed to deal with his own problems. Albeit with help if he required it. Leaning back in his chair, he tapped his pencil against the arm of the chair. Technically, he had already compromised Oriana, even if no one outside his family knew it. Could doing something like kissing her in public work? He’d have to consider it.

A knock came on the door.

“Come.”

Royston entered carrying a silver salver. “This message from Lord Pettigrew just arrived.”

Blowing out a breath, Charlie reached for the missive. “I wonder what he wants now.”

“I would be happy to send it back with your compliments, my lord.”

“I don’t dare. For all I know he is arranging to have the banns read.” He opened the note.

My dear Lord Stanwood,

When are you available to meet to discuss the marriage contracts with me?

Yr servant, Pettigrew

There was only one thing to do. Charlie opened the standish, dipped his pen nib in it, and scribbled,

Pettigrew,

I have not yet seen a promise to marry. Until I do, there will be no meetings.

S

He folded the paper and attached his seal. “Have this sent back to him. Do not wait for a response.”

Royston bowed. “With pleasure, my lord.”

Charlie began sorting through his correspondence. One short missive from Chandos assured Charlie that he would arrive within the week. Another from Rochford stated that he had been invited to Lady Stern’s ball and would arrive the day prior to the event.

Another knock sounded on his door and Theo poked her head in. “Is now a bad time?”

“Not at all.” Jamison was so organized that there wasn’t that much for Charlie to go through. “What can I do for you?”

She slid into a seat in front of the desk. “I believe it is what I can do for you. I was at the dance party yesterday and so was Miss Pettigrew. She ignored me for the first hour or so. Therefore I took matters into my own hands and introduced myself to her. She looked like a frightened deer, but I was able to put her at ease by telling her that I was coming out next year and asking her if she was as well.”

He always knew Theo had a good head on her shoulders. “Excellent job not mentioning the proposed marriage.”

She preened briefly and then continued. “I decided that I would not say anything if she did not. In any event I mentioned that we had invited friends of yours, a duke and an earl, who would be at Lady Stern’s ball. And told her that I would provide an introduction if she would like one. I also mentioned that although I am not out, I have spent a great deal of time in Town and would be happy to show her around.”

This was better and better. “Thus giving her an opportunity to mention her father’s plan.”

“Precisely.” Theo nodded. “I think she was shocked that I knew a duke well enough to introduce him to her.” Theo stared at him for a few seconds. “Charlie, she is very pretty but na?ve and has not been taught anything about running an estate or a household. All anyone has done is to make sure that she will present well. She is definitely not the type of wife you need. I think you made a good choice in Oriana.”

“Thank you.” He was glad Theo agreed. “I believe I have as well. Did anything else happen?”

She pursed her lips. “She seemed nervous about Lady Stern’s event and started to say something about her father but did not finish.”

That was concerning. “What exactly did she say?”

Theo shook her head. “‘Papa has a plan,’ and then she stopped as if she was not supposed to talk about it. I might have learned more if her mother had not decided to join us.”

“It’s quite likely that she stopped talking because she saw her mother.”

She appeared to consider that for a moment. “You might be correct. In that case we all need to be on guard at the ball. We should also tell Lady Stern.”

“Can I leave that to you?” If her ladyship wanted all the details, Theo was the only one who had them.

“Yes, of course. I shall write to her today.” His sister rose. “Will Oriana be joining us for luncheon?”

“She will. I believe she’s with Charlotte going over the household accounts at the moment.”

“Oh, good. I will join them.”

Before Theo could leave, Charlie asked, “Why?”

“I was the last one to do them.” She grinned and shut the door behind her.

He wondered why that was important. His sister had been helping with his accounts since before he returned. Both Theo and Mary had worked on them. He supposed he’d find out later.

He went back to his correspondence until yet another knock came on his door. “Come.”

The door opened. “My lord,” his butler said with a bow. “Luncheon is served.”

“Thank you.” He sanded the last letter and sealed it. “Please have these”—he indicated a short stack of missives—“sent out.”

“At once.” Royston bowed again. “The running footman has returned from the Pettigrew estate. He said that he was asked to wait and declined.”

“Well done.” Charlie came out from behind the desk. “Relay to him how pleased I am.”

“I will do so.” His butler stepped aside as he left the room. “He will be glad to receive praise. He was hired just before we left Town. He’s one of the lads the ladies rescued.”

“I understand.” It was the young man’s first position, and likely the first time he’d been trusted with something important.

Oriana and Charlotte arrived at the family dining room just as he did. “How are the accounts going?”

Oriana took his arm. “Theo has an interesting way of keeping them. She notes any changes in price from one period to the next. It makes it easy to track the adjustments in costs. For example, did you know that you are paying more for honey than you did two months ago?”

That was a product not made on his estate. “I did not. Do you know why?”

She raised her brows. “No, but it is something I will ascertain.”

This was his countess speaking.

Oriana entered the dining room with her arm looped with Charlie’s. The morning had proven to be more interesting than she had thought. After all, how exciting can account books be? But aside from the accounts, she also had received interesting tidbits about Charlie. Such as his favorite foods: chicken in red wine sauce, and something called a Spanish tortilla made with eggs and potatoes that she had never heard of, and beef roast. That Worthington had almost forced Charlie to go on a Grand Tour because it was something that Grace had said their father had wanted for him. But that he had felt guilty. And she was able to deepen her friendship with Apollo, who put his head on her lap and gazed up at her with loving brown eyes.

“He is usually with Charlie, but when he went to get you this morning, a groom took him out and he got into mud,” Charlotte said.

“I am very glad to come to know him better. He is really very sweet.” Oriana had stroked his soft ears and massive head.

She had also been assured that everyone in the family would love her.

Kenilworth joined them with the children, and even though Hugh looked at her and sighed, nothing was said about his case of puppy love.

Theo and Mary were the last to join them. As usual, the girls had their heads together, as if they were plotting something. Which, from what Oriana had seen, was very likely to be the case.

A chicken pie with a lovely golden-brown crust was served with haricot vert in an herb butter sauce with fruit for dessert.

“Cook has promised us a strawberry tart for dessert this evening,” Charlotte said. “That reminds me: Tomorrow I must show you the menu suggestions from Charlie’s cook, Armand. He will give them to you for review from now on.”

“We still have to have your tenants visit so that everyone will know one another,” Charlie said after swallowing a piece of the pie.

The visit had been put off because of Pettigrew’s contentions. “Could we do it after we catch the criminals?”

“Yes.” Charlie gave a slow nod. “They will have already met some of my people when they start keeping watch tonight.”

Oriana wanted to help with that. In fact it was her duty. If she were a gentleman, no one would think twice about it, not even herself. She could do it from the small cottage and keep one of the Greens or footwomen with her. Unless Charlie wanted to join her. Although she had her doubts about how much time would be spent keeping a lookout and how much in making love.

“Would you allow my men to dine with your servants this evening?” Charlie asked. “Afterward we can take them to the places they will be while it’s still light. Then they can return after midnight.”

“Yes. That is a good idea. I asked my cook to prepare dinner for each of the days we must keep watch. She will also be providing flasks of tea and a sack of food for each of them.” She made her decision about being with her people. “I will go out to see that they are all in place, then walk to the cottage. I do not want my horse there in the event she would make any noise.”

“Why don’t I join you?” Charlie’s eyes sparkled with what she had come to know was lust.

“We do have to remain awake in the event the scoundrels come.” Oriana dearly loved the way he looked at her, but a reminder was necessary.

Kenilworth sniggered. “Believe me when I tell you that you do not want to be distracted if something important happens.”

Charlie rolled his eyes at his brother-in-law. “I do understand that.”

“Very well. You may come with me. We will have to take turns sleeping. It wouldn’t do to be unable to stay awake during the day.”

“Hopefully we don’t have to do this for more than a few nights,” he said.

Oriana did not respond. If it was her cousin, as they suspected, he was not good at keeping to a schedule. She was still in touch with the old housekeeper, who told her that many of the servants had found other positions because Ognon was constantly changing his mind.

“We should be going.” She finished eating and rose. “There is a great deal to accomplish this afternoon.”

The rest of the day was spent visiting her tenants and confirming the watch schedule. The younger men were hoping something would happen tonight, and Oriana prayed that they would not lose interest if it did not.

The air of excitement increased when Charlie returned with his men. All of whom, it was clear, were former military men.

One of the grooms, Wiles, had served in Canada and was familiar with signals that an Indian tribe called the Algonquian used to warn others of dangers or arrivals. The birdcall he made was different from any of the ones she had heard before.

“It’s easy to do if you want to use it,” he said after demonstrating the sound. “If one person from each pair can make the sound, we can use it when we’re attacked.”

“I’ll do it,” Green One, who was on duty with one of the tenants’ daughters, said.

After she mastered it, others decided to learn it as well. Oriana went up to her as the others were practicing. “Well done. I am proud of you.”

Her face was wreathed in smiles. “Thank ye, miss. All it takes is for a girl to do something new and the fellows want to do it too.”

Oriana decided to learn the birdcall as well and Charlie joined in. She grinned at him. “Good job. I am positive that our calls will be understood.”

“Thank you.” He bowed and kissed her hand. “To tell the truth, I’m as anxious to get this over with as everyone else.”

He went to his groom. “That was a grand idea.”

“Thank you, sir.” Wiles glanced around at the group. “If you don’t mind, I’ll make an inspection at about one o’clock to make sure everyone’s in place and ready.”

Charlie signaled to Oriana. “What is it?”

“Wiles wants to make certain everyone is in place tonight. Do you have an objection?”

“Not at all. That is an excellent idea.” Like everyone else, she hoped it would be soon. For some reason she felt as if this problem was another thing that was holding up their marriage.