Chapter 18
When Alastair received a message from Edmund, he wasn’t about to delay it. With his mother and Helena working out plans for the dinner that evening, they would be occupied for some time. He could easily head out, and nobody would be any wiser.
It would give him time to clear his head after what happened the day before.
He was still recalling how he’d complimented Arabella far more than he’d intended, and then they’d almost kissed.
Alastair had suddenly wanted to do that, and having her so close made him feel something he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Desire. His feelings for Arabella were shifting and intensifying to the point he didn’t quite know what to do. Alastair didn’t know what to think about that. This wasn’t meant to be a love match, and both of them knew it.
What had happened for them to start being so close to kissing?
They needed to get this mess sorted first. Alastair didn’t want to complicate things further.
Edmund was at a teashop on the main street, sitting at a table by the window. He raised his cup at Alastair as he entered. After ordering his tea and a slice of cake, he joined Edmund and sat across from him.
“What happened? This has to be important if you were telling me that we needed to meet where nobody was going to see us.”
“I spoke to my lawyer. Or, rather, our lawyer.”
“Terrance Shafer?” Alastair frowned. “What did you need to speak to him about?”
“I was meeting him for an appointment, and then I remembered that he’s also Viscount Fairleigh’s lawyer. Well, the father. I think he represents the son and Lady Arabella as well, but I didn’t ask about that.”
Alastair sat forward.
“What happened for you to talk about another client? I would’ve thought someone like Shafer wouldn’t divulge anything about someone he represents.”
“It was by pure luck. I accidentally knocked some papers off the desk when I stood up, and I helped clear them up. One of the papers was from the bank the last viscount had before he died. And I caught sight of the numbers.”
“So you snooped right in front of him?”
“Not intentionally,” Edmund protested. “But it did get us to talking, and Shafer told me a few things that I found interesting. I guess when your client is dead, you don’t have much care about privilege and protecting them.”
A maid came over and placed Alastair’s order on the table, curtsying before walking away.
Alastair put sugar into his cup and stirred, letting this sink in.
He’d contemplated talking to Shafer before but had decided against it.
Even with his status, the lawyer wouldn’t speak to him.
That should be on Arabella’s shoulders, but he hadn’t thought about suggesting it to her.
Maybe because he hadn’t been sure there would be anything of interest.
“So?” he prompted, taking a sip of his tea. “What did he say? Was there an anomaly with the bank account?”
“You could say that. Apparently, there was a secret account, one that had a very healthy amount of money in it.”
“What?” Alastair’s mouth dropped open. “Are you seriously telling me that he wasn’t broke at all?”
“From what Shafer said, it was one that Fairleigh refused to touch. Something about wanting a fallback just in case he lost everything. He wanted to be sure his children were not going to be solvent should anything happen to him.”
“And he never touched it?”
“No. He put money in now and then, but not for some time. I think it was some money from the maternal side of the family. One that was only for the children when they came of age. Fairleigh would’ve been aware of that, even though his name was on the account.”
Alastair digested this slowly. “So he might’ve been a trustee to look after it, but he wouldn’t be allowed to take anything out of it. It was basically making him a gatekeeper to keep it safe.”
“That’s what Shafer said.” Edmund nodded. “Anyway, about a week after Fairleigh passed away, Shafer got a letter from the bank. Someone had come in and withdrawn practically all of the money from that account.”
Alastair blinked. “What? I thought that wasn’t possible unless it was either Arabella or her brother.”
“That’s what I said. Apparently, this man had a signed letter from the brother saying that he could withdraw the money as young Fairleigh was too distraught over his father’s death to leave the house.
The young man who dealt with it was taken in by it all and allowed it to happen.
What he should’ve done was let the manager know so they could be absolutely certain, and that didn’t happen. ”
“And by the time the manager found out about it, the money was gone,” Alastair murmured. He absently cut into a piece of cake with his fork. “Could the bank worker describe the gentleman in question?”
“He was certainly a gentleman with blond hair. Very charming and calm, but that was about it.”
“Really?”
Edmund grunted. “Unfortunately. Shafer thought that was ridiculous that there was nobody to see him properly, or to prove the name given was fitted to the person in question. He’s been working with the bank to try and find out who it was who stole the money, but they’ve found nothing so far.”
Alastair let this sink in. He hadn’t realized there was another account to Fairleigh’s name, one that he couldn’t touch.
Evidently, someone was able to access it and had done it with relative ease.
Now there was money rightfully belonging to Arabella and her brother out there and nobody knew where it was.
“It’s been months since the death,” he said. “Surely, they should’ve found it out long ago.”
“They haven’t. The man disappeared, and there is nothing to go on. Shafer’s been asking around, but he’s running up against a wall when there’s so little to go on.”
“Is the current Viscount Fairleigh aware of it?”
“I didn’t ask that, but I’m guessing not. Shafer didn’t want to worry them any further.” Edmund sipped his tea and put his cup down. “It’s scary that someone could just walk in, take money that isn’t theirs, and walk out again without being challenged.”
“It’s a horrifying thought, certainly.”
“I wonder who knew about this account.”
“That’s something I’m going to have to speak to Arabella about,” Alastair mused. “I’ll be seeing her tonight. She’s coming to dinner with us.”
Edmund raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Really? Your mother allowed it?”
“She was the one who suggested it.” Alastair held up his hands. “Don’t ask. I think it might be something to do with Helena and I giving her a verbal scolding. Well, it was more Helena, but I was present for it.”
“So Helena stood up to your mother.” Edmund looked impressed. “She’s very strong, your little sister. She’s not afraid to face things.”
Alastair couldn’t argue with that. He knew that Helena had grown in confidence in recent months, and she was certainly happier for it. It took a lot out of her, that much he saw, but she wasn’t backing down. You couldn’t be weak against Lady Hartwood.
“I think she’s going to be fine.”
“She might have her problems, but she needs to learn things on her own as well. Not having anyone hovering over her telling her what to do.” Edmund sat forward. “I know you don’t do that, but I want to be sure that you’re aware.”
“Oh, I’m very much aware. And I agree with that.”
Alastair ate some of his cake, letting Edmund’s words sink in. He’d been on Helena’s side for some time now, and his friend was definitely Helena’s supporter. Alastair had seen it before in the past, and he was grateful for that. Helena needed plenty of friends.
However, from what Edmund had said in the past, he saw Helena as something more.
He looked past her disability and saw the person she really was.
He genuinely liked her, and he made it clear even if Helena didn’t really know.
Alastair thought back to the day before when his sister said someone she cared about didn’t even see her romantically.
He’d guessed that she was talking about Edmund.
She clearly didn’t realize that it was the opposite. And knowing that she cared as well…
He made up his mind.
“Edmund, about you asking me permission to court Helena…” He saw his friend stiffen. “I’m going to allow it.”
Edmund looked at him like he’d gone mad, staring at Alastair with his mouth open. The cake in his hand fell from his fingers and splattered on the plate, but he didn’t seem to notice as some of it landed in his lap. “You… what… really?”
“Yes. I was being selfish in the beginning, and I was being too protective of my sister. She doesn’t need that from me, not when our mother is having control issues.
My sister deserves someone who will treat her well, and from the way you two have been together, I’ve come to realize that you can do that for her. ”
“You do?” Edmund still looked a little skeptical. “But I thought you didn’t want me to court her because of my past.”
“I also know if you court Helena, you respect me too much to hurt her. And if you’re asking me for permission, then it’s serious.” Alastair smiled, amused by his friend’s reaction. “You don’t need to look so scared. I’m giving you my blessing.”
Edmund’s mouth opened and closed. And then he slumped in his chair, his face breaking into a beaming smile.
“Thank you,” he gasped. “Thank you, Alastair.”
“Just remember that I’m holding you to a high standard. If you really care about Helena…”
“I would never hurt her. I promise you that.” Edmund pressed a fist to his chest. “I swear on my brother’s life that I would never do anything to hurt her.”
Alastair believed him on that. Edmund had a little brother who was only eight years old, a surprise pregnancy for their parents, and Edmund adored him. If he said that, then he meant it. Alastair nodded.
“All right. If you’re coming tonight, you can talk to Helena about it. I know she’ll be delighted about it.”
“You’re sure about that?”
“Absolutely. I believe you, and you should be confident about that.”
Edmund looked more relieved than he had been for a while. He reached for his cup. “And what about you?” he asked.
“What do you mean?”
“What about you and Arabella? Are things progressing well? I know you haven’t seen her for a few days, but I assumed it was because you were busy.”
“I… it’s complicated with that. But we’ve sorted it now.” Alastair mentally cursed his mother again for her actions. “We had a bit of a misunderstanding, but it’s fine.”
“And?” Edmund prompted.
“And what?”
His friend gave a slight smile, winking at Alastair over the rim of his cup. “When are you going to tell her you like her? And I don’t mean as a passing likeness.”
It took a moment for Alastair to realize what he’d just said. He stared at him.
“What? Are you saying that I’m…”
“I’m not suggesting anything. But I’ve seen the way you two are around each other. Something’s definitely in the air, and it isn’t one-sided.” Edmund tilted his head to one side. “You’ve not said anything about it, have you? You would’ve told me about it now if you had.”
“You are aware of our current situation, Edmund. This is practical for us, and it’ll be over soon.”
“But you don’t want it to be over, do you?”
Alastair wanted to argue that, but the words stuck in his throat. He should be protesting that Edmund was talking nonsense, and yet he couldn’t.
Edmund gave him a knowing smile.
“I think you’ve changed your mind about her, haven’t you?”
“Enough.” Alastair put his fork down. Then he sighed and bowed his head. “All right, fine. I’m starting to feel something. And how can anyone not? She’s smart, quick-witted, compassionate, gentle, strong-minded, determined…”
“Not to mention beautiful. Even I can see that.”
Alastair felt his face getting hot and he glared at Edmund, who laughed.
“You’re not denying it. You agree with me, then.”
“I’ll let you think that, then.” Alastair pinched the bridge of his nose. “But this doesn’t go beyond the two of us, do you understand?”
“Why not? Why not tell Arabella about it? I think she deserves to know.”
“The situation is complicated enough as it is. If I burden her with this while we’re trying to find out what happened to her father…”
“She’s not made of spun glass, Alastair. She can handle it. And you might find that she’s delighted about it.”
“I still think I should keep it to myself. It’ll get too much for both of us.”
Edmund rolled his eyes. “You really need to rethink that, Alastair. I think it wouldn’t be any harm to make the courtship real between you and Arabella. You might not see it, but you clearly get along, and I think you’re a good pairing.”
Alastair let that sink in. Maybe he and Arabella truly did get along, and there was clearly something between them. He recalled the kiss he almost gave her, and his heart skipped a beat. From the look in her eyes, she wanted to kiss him as well.
Maybe she did see him the same way. But Alastair knew he was too scared to admit it, especially with everything going on right now. He couldn’t do it.
Could he?