CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Once inside the carriage and on their way, Daniel came directly to the point. He said, ‘I wasn’t very easy company last night, was I? Or at all helpful. The situation is awkward for both of us but you were trying to make the best of it and I did the opposite. I don’t have any excuses for that but I’ll try to do better in future. And to prove my good intentions, if you have questions you consider important, ask them.’

‘About anything?’ Anna asked. ‘Literally?’

‘Well … within reason.’

By whose interpretation? she wondered, able to think of at least half a dozen questions she’d wanted to ask but which, even with this new spirit of conciliation, she suspected he was unlikely to answer. Finally, settling for what she hoped might be amongst the least contentious of them, she said, ‘Very well. Here’s something that is not at all important but which intrigues me. Lord Maybury said you and Lord Hazelmere’s cousin fought a duel on the Serpentine bridge. Is it true?’

He groaned. ‘I hoped I’d lived that down by now. But yes. Perfectly true.’

‘Am I allowed to ask why?’

‘Why the duel?’ And when she nodded, ‘Have you ever met Basil Selwyn?’

‘No. But since he is your friend’s cousin, then surely …’ She hesitated before adding doubtfully, ‘Unless it was a sort of joke?’

‘It was certainly meant to look that way.’ Daniel paused, unsure how much to tell her. Then, deciding he might as well be honest, ‘To put it bluntly, Basil Selwyn is a vicious toad who deserved much, much worse than to merely be made a fool of in public.’

‘And yet Lord Maybury also said that, when Mr Selwyn fell into the water, it was you who pulled him out.’

‘Well, somebody had to. Being the idiot that he is, Basil fell in wearing his coat and boots, whereas I’d stripped down to my shirt and breeches.’ He shrugged. ‘Since I couldn’t let him drown, hauling him out was necessary, not heroic.’

Anna nodded, mentally reviewed the other things she’d wanted to know and decided to find out just how far she could go before he pulled up the metaphorical drawbridge.

She said slowly, ‘On the list of your various obligations was four thousand pounds owing to a Mr Grimshaw about which your note said you have doubts. Why is that?’

Not having expected this, Daniel eyed her thoughtfully for a moment. His most immediate reaction was to dodge the question … but then he thought, Why not tell her? She isn’t stupid. And talking it through with someone could be helpful.

Finally, he said, ‘Before I tell you, I should explain that my mother and sister know nothing of that and, for the time being at least, I would prefer it to remain that way.’

‘Then it will do so,’ came the simple reply.

‘Thank you. Well, then … it’s probably best if I begin with the case as Grimshaw stated it.’

Anna listened without interrupting as he spoke of the initial letter he’d received, of his meeting with Grimshaw and the subsequent letter from the fellow’s bank. When he stopped speaking, she said, ‘And you’d never heard of him before this?’

‘No. My mother recognised the name as that of someone Father had known at one time. But that’s all.’

‘And what strikes you as odd about it?’

‘A number of things – starting with the so-called debt of honour. I take it you understand what that is?’ And when she nodded, ‘To the best of my knowledge, my father didn’t gamble. So if he staked four thousand pounds on the turn of a card or the outcome of a wager, it would have been out of character. Then there’s the concept of a large, interest-free loan made several months ago by a fellow it appears Father hadn’t seen in some years. I’m struggling to believe in that. Why would Father ask or Grimshaw agree? And having met the man, something about him didn’t ring true.’ Daniel hesitated, then added, ‘The whole thing just doesn’t add up … and not purely because I don’t want it to.’

‘I believe I can understand that,’ said Anna. ‘But there’s also the letter from the bank. That can’t be ignored, can it?’

‘No. But it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that it isn’t genuine.’

‘Really?’ Her brows rose. ‘What makes you think that?’

‘Because I know how he could forge it.’

‘You do?’

‘Yes. But please don’t ask how I know.’

She nodded, calmly accepting this.

‘Very well then. Going back to Mr Grimshaw … he didn’t tell you to whom your father had lost this money?’

‘No. He said Father hadn’t told him – which I admit is all too possible. Secrecy was a habit with him,’ replied Daniel bitterly. ‘He hid things from my mother, from me and even from his lawyers. Hence the shock of what came out in his will.’

‘Very well. What about his signature on the note of hand … does that appear genuine?’

‘Aside from the type of ink it’s written in, yes.’ He slanted a glance at her. ‘Not looking very hopeful, is it?’

‘On the face of it, no. However, if your suspicions are correct and the debt never existed, Grimshaw is attempting to commit fraud – and for a spectacularly large sum of money. Unfortunately, however, I don’t see any easy way of proving it.’

‘Neither do I,’ sighed Daniel. ‘Also, if I’m wrong and it does exist, it will have to be paid eventually. So far, I’ve delayed doing anything about it but that can’t go on much longer. In fact, I’m surprised Grimshaw hasn’t turned up on the doorstep by now because he strikes me as the persistent sort.’

‘In which case perhaps it’s just as well you and I are returning earlier than we originally planned. Since you want to keep it from your family, it would be … unfortunate … if he paid a call in your absence.’

He winced.‘Yes.It would.’

***

They reached Reculver at a little after noon and the first person to see the carriage draw up was Rebecca. Rising swiftly from the window-seat, she said, ‘Good heavens, Mama – they’re back already!’

‘Back?’ echoed the dowager. ‘Daniel and Anna? Why? They weren’t supposed to come home until tomorrow.’

‘Well, clearly they’ve changed their minds,’ said Rebecca, heading for the door. ‘A good sign or a bad one, do you think?’

Below in the hall, Flynn had the door open and stood waiting at the top of the steps. Then, the instant Daniel handed Anna from the carriage, he said, ‘Welcome home, my lord – my lady. And many congratulations to you from myself and the rest of the staff.’

‘Thank you, Flynn. Rain at Upton this morning caused us to revise our plans.’

‘Rain, my lord? There’s been none here.’

‘So I see. Doubtless my mother is – ’

He stopped as Rebecca came skimming across the floor to throw her arms about his neck, saying, ‘Not that I’m not pleased to see you – but that must be the shortest bridal trip in history! Couldn’t you last even one more day?’

Daniel dropped a brief kiss on her hair and set her away from him in order to draw Anna forward. He said, ‘We could have but we decided not to.’

His tone was light and pleasant but contained the merest hint of reproof which neither lady missed. Seeing Rebecca flush, Anna said quickly, ‘It was raining and spending the day tied to the inn wasn’t very appealing. So here we are.’

‘Yes, indeed,’ observed the dowager, arriving at the half-landing in time to hear this. ‘And a very nice surprise it is, too. Welcome to your new home, my dear, and allow me to show you to your rooms while the luggage is brought in. Flynn, luncheon in an hour, if you please. And Daniel … there are letters on your desk, one of which is from Lord Hazelmere. Perhaps it brings the news that you have been waiting for.’

‘I certainly hope so,’ he replied. And to Anna, ‘You’ll excuse me?’

‘Of course.’

She smiled at Rebecca in passing and walked away to where her new mother-in-law awaited her, looking faintly anxious. A few steps further on, the dowager said, ‘As is only proper, we have had the master-suite readied for you both – though I don’t know why we call it that when, this house being so old-fashioned, it’s the only suite. But I’m afraid that it – it is a little shabby. I hope you won’t mind it too much.’

‘Not at all,’ responded Anna smoothly. ‘Indeed, I suspected you might feel the house was due for some refurbishment and was rather hoping it might be a project that you and I could tackle together.’

‘Refurbishment?’ Her hand was taken in an unsteady clasp. ‘Oh Anna! If you only knew how much I’ve longed to be able to put things to rights and how horrid it’s been keeping the state of things from my friends and neighbours!’

‘Well, we can start mending that right away, ma’am. Perhaps tomorrow you can show me around the house? We can begin a list of what needs to be done and in what order. Indeed, I’m sure you already have ideas on that score.’

Below in the hall, Daniel looked at his sister and said quietly, ‘You liked Anna once, Becky It doesn’t make sense to stop liking her now when she’s done nothing to deserve it. She wants to be your friend … so why don’t you let her? It would make life easier for everyone.’

Rebecca sighed and leaned her brow against his shoulder.

‘I know. I just hate that you married her for everyone’s sake but your own.’

‘Everyone’s including mine,’ he corrected. ‘There’s a lot to be said for not lying awake at night, worrying. And if it hadn’t been Anna, it would have been some other wealthy woman – assuming I could have found one who considered me adequate value for money.’ He gave her a brief hug, then moved away. ‘Be pleasant to her, Becky. And now I’m going to find out what Kit has to say.’

Christian’s letter was brief and somewhat incoherent but also jubilant.

We have a son, Daniel. Michael Francis, born two days ago. A beautiful, healthy boy with his mother’s eyes and possibly my hair, we think. And Sophie is well, thank God. More than well. She’s crowing with pride over her achievement. As she should be. Visit when you can – don’t wait until the christening. We think of you often and can’t wait to introduce you to the miniature Viscount Farndon.

Laughing a little, Daniel sat down to dash off an equally brief reply of congratulation. Then, that done, he flicked through the other handful of letters awaiting his attention. Most were of little or no consequence so he set them aside to read later. However, mystified as to what Longhope and a further ten on the day of the wedding to take care of other things – such as the debt to Lord Hazelmere, for example. As for what else will be necessary, I thought we could discuss suitable arrangements for that later.’

Shaking his head as if to clear it, Daniel said, ‘Anna … you ask me not to thank you, then do something like this without even telling me? What am I to say to you?’

Her colour rose and she turned away, tugging at the ribbons of her hat.

‘Nothing. Since I was merely fulfilling my side of our agreement, what else can possibly need to be said about it? And right now I’d much sooner know if Lord and Lady Hazelmere’s child has been born yet.’

For a few moments, Daniel continued looking at her in silence. But finally, he said, ‘He has indeed.’

Anna spun back to face him, smiling. ‘A son? They have a little boy?’

‘They do. Michael Francis. Mother and baby both doing well, Kit says.’

‘That’s wonderful. I’m so glad.’

She looked it, he realised. Genuinely happy for people she’d never met. He said, ‘When Sophie has got over the birth and they are ready to receive, I’ll be paying a brief visit. Would you like to come with me?’

‘ May I?’ The words were out before she could stop them and instantly regretted. ‘But no. Not this first time. Neither they nor you will want additional company just yet … but perhaps I could go with you on some future occasion?’

It would be so easy to agree and part of him wanted to. What stopped him was the realisation that, if he continued keeping her out of the important parts of his life, she would let him do it without argument – which spoke a lot better of her than it did of him.

My good intentions didn’t last long, did they? he thought grimly. If you want to spend your married life behaving like a selfish bastard and letting all the sacrifices be on her side, she won’t stop you. So be a man and take responsibility for yourself .

He said, ‘You aren’t additional company, Anna. You are my wife. Kit and Sophie will want to know you – and I’d like you to know them. So, if at all possible, we’ll go in four or five weeks’ time. Yes?’

‘Very well,’ she murmured weakly. And thought, Don’t. It may have been frustrating and a bit annoying when you were throwing up barriers … but watching you trying to be kind will be worse and I’m in enough trouble already . ‘If you’re quite sure.’

‘I am. And by then I daresay Mama will be knee deep in new curtains and the like so she’ll hardly miss us. That was speedy work, by the way.’

‘Not really. I guessed she would want make some improvements. She shouldn’t feel she has to apologise for the condition of her home.’

‘Is that what she did?’

‘Yes. It’s one of the reasons why the neighbours have been dissuaded from calling.’ And before he could comment on this, ‘From the little I saw when I was here before I was already aware that some work is needed and was looking forward to it as something upon which your mama and I might find common ground.’

Daniel regarded her thoughtfully. ‘That’s really how you look at it?’

‘Yes. Why not?’ She hesitated. ‘And that reminds me of something else. Your mama can have her personal bills sent to you … or she may prefer to have her own allowance. You should find out which. And Rebecca must have pin money to spend as she chooses. Not an enormous amount since you will be paying for her clothing and so forth – but enough for her to buy a book or a few yards of ribbon when she wants to do so. Otherwise, how is she to learn the value of money or how to manage it?’

Daniel folded his arms and leaned against the window-frame, a faint smile lurking behind his eyes. He said, ‘You seem to have done an inordinate amount of thinking.’

‘I’m sorry. I did warn you that I tend to go too fast at times and – ’

‘Don’t be sorry. One of us should think of these things and I certainly hadn’t got around to it. However …’ He gestured to the stack of trunks and valises in the corner. ‘Yours, I presume?’

‘Yes. My things from home. Everything was packed before the wedding and Mother had it sent by carrier yesterday. My own chaise and Blake, my personal groom, should be arriving tomorrow. Perhaps you would warn the stables of that and ask them to make provision?’

‘That won’t be a problem. Two carriages and several horses were sold some time ago so there’s plenty of room. I suppose we should consider what, if anything, needs doing to remedy that.’

‘That’s your department, not mine,’ responded Anna. ‘Do what you think necessary.’

‘Thank you. I will.’ He offered his arm. ‘But for now, why don’t you join me downstairs for a glass of wine to toast our homecoming? Everything else – even more thinking – can wait an hour or two.’

***

On the following morning, while Daniel dealt with matters relating to the estate and wrote instructing Longhope & Son to settle both his obligation to the Earl of Hazelmere and his bank overdraft, Anna and the dowager toured the house together and began a list that, in less than an hour, had arrived half-way down its second page. Feeling left out and rather sorry for herself, Rebecca wandered around the garden for an hour before belatedly arriving at the conclusion that the only person making her miserable was herself.

Daniel’s right, she thought. I did like Anna. And she’s done nothing wrong – quite the reverse. Daniel had to find money from somewhere and how else was he to do it? Also, though I don’t know the details, it seems Anna is being generous. Last evening, I was sure she was about to suggest a trip to the modiste in Gloucester before Daniel somehow managed to change the subject. And Mama is bubbling over with plans for redecorating the house and already talking about holding a small dinner-party for neighbours we’ve scarcely seen in the last year. Everything is different now. Although it hasn’t been mentioned since before the wedding, it seems that I’ll even have my Season next spring. And if I do, it will be thanks to Anna, won’t it? But the real issue here is Daniel. He’s done something he’d rather not have done but is trying to make the best of it. And I should be helping, not making it difficult .

Spinning on her heel, she hastened back to the house and, on being informed that the ladies were currently inspecting the formal dining-room, followed them there and said brightly, ‘You’ve been at this all morning. I suppose it’s too late to offer to help – even if only by ordering tea?’

‘Tea is a splendid idea,’ said her mother absently. Then, ‘Anna?’

‘Yes. Tea … and a little while to sit down and evaluate our progress thus far. But first, this room.’ She gestured to the table, still fully extended as it had been when she’d valued the scent bottles, its army of chairs arrayed side by side against the walls. ‘It needs very little. The curtains are slightly faded and could be replaced at some point. But the upholstery on the chairs is almost as good as new.’

‘Because they’re scarcely ever used,’ murmured Rebecca.

‘Exactly. And it seems a great pity.’

‘That may be true,’ remarked the Dowager dubiously. ‘But with only four of us …’

‘Of course,’ nodded Anna. ‘But if some of the leaves were removed from the table, reducing the seating to eight rather than twenty, it would be adequate for most purposes but not completely dwarfed by the size of the room. What do you think, Rebecca?’

‘Me?’

‘Yes. This is a lovely room and the panelling is quite beautiful. Would it not be pleasant to dine in here, regardless of whether or not there are guests?’

Rebecca looked around her. She said slowly, ‘Yes. It would.’

‘Also, when there are guests,’ finished Anna, persuasively to the Dowager, ‘a room needs to feel lived in … as, currently, this one does not. And last evening you spoke of holding a small dinner-party, did you not, ma’am?’

‘Yes. Yes, I did. Oh dear. If you are both set on this and Daniel has no objection, I suppose we might at least try it.’

‘If I have no objection to what?’ asked Daniel from where he leaned, arms folded, against the door jamb.

‘Dining in the dining-room,’ responded Rebecca. ‘What do you think?’

His brows rose. ‘Well, it’s a somewhat radical notion … but I imagine I could probably get used to it.’

His wife smiled and his sister laughed. His mother sighed and remarked that it would make more work for the maids who were over-stretched as it was.

‘Not for long,’ promised Anna. ‘I’d planned to speak to you about hiring more staff and whether there might be girls or young men in the village who’d be glad of the work … but today’s priority was deciding about renovations, wasn’t it?’

‘And have you?’ asked Daniel. Then, when he received no answer, ‘Mama?’

‘Yes. I believe we have. Enough to make a start, anyway.’

‘Excellent.’ He grinned at Anna. ‘So you’ll be free to drive out with me this afternoon and meet some of the tenants, won’t you?’

~**~**~