Chapter 5
“I’m going to be in Pa’s study,” Arabella said as Constance helped to pin up her hair. “I’ve got a few things to sort out and I need some privacy.”
“Very well, my lady,” Constance replied. “Is Viscount Fairleigh aware of this?”
“He’s still at the club. I don’t think he came back last night, so he’s likely still there.” Arabella frowned at her reflection. “And when he does return, he’ll just go straight to bed. He’s not going to bother me.”
“I’ll let Mrs. Simeon know where you are, then.”
“Thank you.”
Arabella needed something to distract herself.
She had a dinner party that evening to prepare for, but she didn’t want to.
It was going to be one of the most uncomfortable things she would ever sit through, getting questioned by the dowager duchess, who was not going to be pleased with this situation. She didn’t care to be interrogated.
That was for the duke. He needed to be questioned about his actions, that he needed to own up for what he’d done.
Arabella didn’t know how she was going to do that without making things worse.
Clara had warned her not to show her hand too early, and she needed to be careful, which Arabella would take heed to.
Although she’d rolled her eyes at Clara suggesting that she might end up falling in love regardless. That was not going to happen.
Once Constance had finished doing her hair, which was in preparation for her getting into her gown later that day, Arabella headed downstairs and made her way into her father’s study. It was the one place where she could truly get some peace and quiet.
Philip barely went in there, choosing to use the library as the place to do what he needed as his position of viscount, although he preferred to read more than do his duties.
Arabella wished that her brother would start taking it seriously; it was like he’d ignored the fact he was a nobleman now with responsibilities.
Their relationship was strained already with their father’s death, and he’d been pulling away recently. Arabella wasn’t in the mood to go chasing after him again. Philip was good at that, and she wasn’t interested in being dragged into that game again.
One thing he wasn’t good at was numbers, so the balancing of the books had been left to Arabella. It had surprised everyone in the beginning, but it was soon clear that she was a solid choice.
She knew her numbers, and she could pore over the ledgers for hours getting it right.
It was harder to do it when Pa was alive and using whatever money he had, and Arabella was still trying to get them back on track.
She had an idea of where the debts needed to go, but she didn’t really know where the money was going to come from.
At this point, her family was going to be in debt until her grandchildren were grown up.
Although there was a chance of diminishing it a little with the Duke of Hartwood’s offer.
If she pretended to court him, then he would write a check at regular intervals to pay off the debts.
After that, the books would balance a little more, and Arabella would be able to get their family back on their feet.
She was still dubious about the duke doing that for her.
It made her stomach turn knowing that she’d been put into that position and there didn’t seem to be any other option for her.
She wondered if he was suggesting it because he had a guilty conscience.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if that was the case; he’d been involved in Pa’s downfall, after all.
He might not have pushed him into the river, but Hartwood was still responsible.
And Arabella was certain that Pa had been pushed or thrown off the wall. Someone had attacked him and gotten rid of him. And was fooling everyone, including the coroner.
She needed that proof. All she had were gut feelings and suspicions. There was nothing concrete.
Unless she confronted the duke about it, but Arabella knew he’d deny it immediately. She wouldn’t get anything that way.
She picked up one of the finance ledgers and opened it, looking through the various number columns as she let it sink in. She had to be sure there was nothing that she’d missed. If there was, it would mean looking at everything again. Arabella knew she couldn’t leave a stone unturned.
She was halfway through the ledger when she realized something.
One of the pages had been ripped out. There was still some of the page stuck in the binder, but it was gone.
Confused, Arabella ran her finger down the ripped part, trying to remember what had been written there.
She was certain that she’d not seen that before.
But why would anyone steal a random part of the ledger?
Was it Philip? Had he been trying to hide something?
Arabella knew she would have to ask him eventually but not right now.
He was still annoyed at her for not telling her about her courtship with Hartwood.
Arabella suspected that he’d been planning to get her to court Lord Vaughn instead and getting the same thing out of it with their debts being paid. But that wasn’t happening now.
Part of her was relieved. There was something about Lord Vaughn that made her nervous, and Arabella didn’t know what. Maybe it was his manner around her or the fact she’d heard about his arrogant attitude and how he acted with others. Arabella didn’t like arrogance.
She just knew she should keep her distance from him.
There was a knock at the door, jerking her out of her thoughts. Arabella sighed and shut the ledger with a thud.
“Come in.”
Mrs. Simeon stuck her head into the room.
“Are you still going to the Duke of Hartwood’s residence, Lady Arabella?”
“I am.”
“I just noticed the time. Maybe you should get yourself ready, my lady?”
Confused, Arabella looked at the clock on the mantelpiece.
She’d entered the study a little after noon, but now it was four in the afternoon.
How had time passed by so quickly? It was like her mind had not paid attention to how time went.
Reluctant to leave, and still worried about the missing page, Arabella stood up and rolled her shoulders.
“All right. I’ll get ready.”
“His Grace sent word that he would have you picked up in his carriage at six-thirty,” Mrs. Simeon said.
“Very well.”
Inside, Arabella was grimacing at the thought of being collected by someone else’s carriage.
They didn’t have one anymore, not when they couldn’t afford to pay anyone to take them around London, and it had been sold to try and make a dent in the debts.
It did, just a little, but not as much as Arabella had hoped.
She really felt like a charity case despite the objections.
It didn’t take long to change into an old gown of dark blue, and then Arabella found herself pacing back and forth in the morning room.
She couldn’t stop her mind turning over the missing page.
Where had it gone? She was sure it had been there when she last looked at the ledger.
She certainly would’ve remembered it if that had been the case previously.
If not, who’d been sneaking into the study and trying to destroy something?
The only possible explanation was Philip, but Arabella still had her doubts.
Something was definitely not right there.
“My lady?” Constance entered the room. “The Duke of Hartwood is outside.”
“I’m coming.”
Arabella took a deep breath. She wasn’t looking forward to this, but Hartwood had agreed that they needed to do this. His mother wanted to see her more closely for herself, and they would have to be introduced to each other’s families.
At least Lady Helena was going to be there; Arabella had liked her. She was bright and bubbly, and she had a sharp mind. She was such a good-natured young woman. Her unfortunate accident worked against her, but Arabella didn’t see the limp. She saw someone who could become a good friend.
Providing that survived after she discovered proof about Hartwood’s involvement in Pa’s death.
Slipping on her coat and fixing her hat, Constance behind her, Arabella headed outside.
Hartwood was in the carriage as they were helped inside, looking splendid in dark blue, resting his hands on a cane.
Arabella felt her heart skip a beat, and that made her pause.
What had just happened there? She could admit that the duke was a handsome man, but why was she reacting to it like this?
Feeling her face getting warm, she settled on the seat across from him, Constance beside her.
“Good evening, ladies,” the duke said pleasantly as the carriage moved away. “We won’t be long. Then we’ll be able to have dinner. I hope you like duck, Lady Arabella?”
“Of course,” she squeaked, clearing her throat when he raised his eyebrows. “I love duck.”
“Good. It’s Mother’s favorite. I thought it would be good to soften her a little while we’re having dinner.”
“She’s going to interrogate me, isn’t she?”
Arabella tried not to squirm, but that was easier said than done.
She was very nervous, although she wasn’t about to admit it.
Normally, she would be able to cope with having dinner with strangers, but with the scandal of her father’s death hanging over her, there were going to be a lot of people staring at her.
She wished that she’d tried to claim she was unwell, but it wouldn’t be that easy to get out of facing other people.
Constance glanced at her, worry etched into her features. She seemed to guess that Arabella was nervous, and she wanted to help. There wasn’t much she could do, except to protect Arabella’s reputation against the gossip.
Arabella knew she needed to get herself with the upper hand. To not be cowed in front of people who thought she was as bad as Pa. She fixed a hard stare on Hartwood, whose smile faltered a little.
“What is it? Is something wrong?”
“Do you normally help people out of difficult situations financially?” she asked.
He raised an eyebrow.
“I like to think I can help those who really need it. And not as charity, either. That’s not something I do.”
“Then why didn’t you support Pa when he was struggling with money? Why did you take more off him when it was clear you would be making him bankrupt?” She glared at him. “You say you help people, but you didn’t help him, did you?”
Hartwood frowned. He sat forward, moving his cane to one side, fixing Arabella with a steely look.
“I tried to get him to stop, but Fairleigh wasn’t about to listen to anyone. He was adamant about carrying on. What did you expect me to do that night? Drag him out of the room and ban him from the gaming rooms?”
“Or maybe you’d try something a little more permanent?” Arabella shot back.
“What’s that…?” His eyes widened, a look of astonishment on his face. “Are you suggesting that I could’ve pushed him into the river? He fell in! I was nowhere near him at the time!”
“But it could be plausible, couldn’t it? He owed you money, and he could’ve refused to pay…”
“I might’ve been owed money, but we had an agreement,” he snapped, making her jump. “If he owed me, why would I push him into the river and drown him? That doesn’t make sense.”
“It wasn’t just finances you didn’t help him with, was it?
” Arabella challenged. She could feel her body warming with her frustration and anger.
“He didn’t have anyone supporting him. He had a problem, and nobody stopped him, or made sure he never did it again.
It was all about greed, wasn’t it? Wipe out as much as you can with the rest of the ton.
Then you have the coins in your coffers, and all Pa has is a shallow grave in the churchyard. ”
She had let the words tumble out, hoping they made sense and, at the same time, not really caring. She just wanted to lash out at someone, and the duke was right in front of her. He still looked shocked that she’d even accused him.
“You think I’m guilty in some way, don’t you?” he murmured.
“I honestly don’t know, but I’m willing to bet you weren’t there for someone you claimed at the inquest was a friend.” Arabella sat back and stared out of the window. “People claim one thing and do something else completely different. You’re not different from those people, either.”
She was aware of the stunned amazement now filling the carriage, both duke and maid staring at her, but Arabella ignored them. She was so on edge that she was going to end up snapping and saying something that would make things more complicated than they already were.
And she was on thin ice already.