Chapter Twenty-Six
Robert arrived back at Brentwood, stormed into the house, and threw down his hat and walking stick in the entry hall.
He stood a moment, breathing heavily. How could his plan have failed?
He had been so confident that he would be able to convince Charlotte to join him and drive straight to Gretna Green.
He moved toward his study for a much-needed drink, when he met his brother coming downstairs.
“Where have you been, Robert?” Frederick asked. “And, why did you take the carriage?”
“None of your affair—why must you always pester me? I am head of this house, not you. My comings and goings are none of your concern.”
He saw the look of shock on his brother’s face at his rude tone but could not bring himself to apologize. With a curt nod, he moved toward his office.
“Forgive me—I did not mean to pry.” Frederick hurried to catch up, and Robert noticed he was holding some folded paper. “I was just worried taking the carriage signaled you were going to be absent quite a while and this came shortly after you left. It is an express from Mr. Marshall, I believe.”
A wave of fear ran through Robert. Knowing he should make amends with his brother, he tried to smile as he took the paper.
“Thank you, Freddy, and I am sorry I was short with you just now. To answer your question, I took the carriage over to Haverstone. I was…I was going to offer to ride along in escort with Lady Gillingham and Miss Kendall as they return home to Doddington, but my offer was graciously declined.”
“How is Miss Kendall?” Frederick asked with a worried face. “And Lady Gillingham, of course. I have been praying for Mr. Kendall’s full recovery.”
“Indeed, we all are. They are both as well as can be expected, I suppose. Forgive me, Freddy, but I must deal with this,” Robert said, holding up the missive. He went into his study and shut the door.
Alone, he tore open the seal and read the few lines his accountant had scribbled.
His heart sank. One of his father’s lenders, a Mr. Caldwell, had reached the end of his patience.
Even the twenty pounds from the sale of the painting that Robert had sent to placate him had not done the trick.
Mr. Marshall warned that Caldwell intended to arrive within three weeks to begin claiming treasures from Brentwood to fulfill the debt.
Would other lenders be far behind? This spelled utter disaster.
He sat heavily at his desk, slowly crumpling the paper in a fist, anger bubbling up again over Charlotte’s refusal to elope.
Her six thousand pounds was so tantalizingly close and yet, still not his.
And now with her father’s illness, she might be out of the county for weeks—perhaps longer.
He clearly could not wait that long. He leaned over his desk, his head in his hands.
How could he tell Frederick the awful truth—that the estate was all but lost?
A knock at the door interrupted his gloomy thoughts. He nearly barked to be left alone, but instead called, “Enter.” His butler opened the door and stood at the threshold.
“Yes, Millard, what is it?” Robert asked curtly.
“An unexpected guest, sir,” Millard replied. “A Mr. Henry Winston has arrived. I have shown him to the drawing room, but I did advise him you might not be available. I can send him away should you like.”
Although hardly in the mood for company, Robert shook his head and said he would meet him.
Henry Winston. His old college friend would at least provide a much needed distraction, although he hoped he would not ask to be put up for the night.
Robert had to leave for London in the morning to deal with this latest crisis.
Perhaps he could find someone to lend him some money to stave off the wolves.
Or could he sell some of his mother’s jewelry? That was a possible solution.
Robert strode into the drawing room to find his old friend leaning casually on the fireplace mantel, grinning at him. Henry’s ginger hair and freckles matched his ever-ebullient personality, and Robert realized how good it was to see him.
“Henry, what a surprise. My word, what brings you to Brentwood?” Robert embraced his friend and slapped him on the back. “You look well. May I offer you a drink?”
Henry laughed. “Your timing is most appropriate, for I am here to share wondrous news, and therefore I shall happily take you up on your offer.”
Puzzled, Robert moved to the table to prepare the drinks himself.
As he handed the whiskey to Henry, he asked, “Good news, eh? I am all eager anticipation to hear it.” He gestured to a chair for his friend and took one for himself.
“Have you taken a commission in the Regulars as you mentioned when we last spoke? Or will it be the clergy for you? Being a second son does bring its challenges, I know, but you seem anything but downcast. I am going to guess the military.”
Henry held his glass up, grinning. “Neither military nor clergy. I am soon to wed Lady Jane Waddingham, a most delightful girl, who brings several thousand pounds as a dowry along with her charms. We shall take up residency in the vacant dower house on her family’s estate up north and, in time, she will inherit the entire estate.
She has no brothers and the estate is fortunately not entailed away from the female line.
I could not be more thrilled. I am bound for my father’s home now to share the news.
I know they will adore Jane as I do when she joins us later this month. ”
Robert smiled but inside felt resentful envy. Just like his college friend to land a wealthy, titled woman. He was always one to be lucky with the ladies.
“Such wonderful news, Henry. Truly, I could not be happier for you. I do not recall meeting this Miss…Waddingham at the start of the Season when I was still there.”
“She arrived a mere three weeks ago. We met at a ball held at the Harringtons’, and it was love at first sight for the two of us.
Of course, had she no fortune, I would still wish to marry her and was prepared to buy a commission in the military to support us, but now there is no need.
I shall be a gentleman in every sense. I certainly never anticipated such good fortune when I went to enjoy the Season.
I could but wish you such similar happiness, my friend.
” He took another sip of his whiskey and sat back, grinning.
Robert gripped his glass tightly. “Yes, well, the Season was ill-timed with my having to take charge of the estate. I simply could not be away from Brentwood at this time.” Robert took a long drink. “Tell me, are many of the lovely ladies of the ton making matches this year?”
“Oh, I suppose some are. It is a bit early yet for actual engagements to be announced, but some pairings are clearly taking place.” He laughed and held his glass up to Robert.
“I am able to inform you, however, of one young lady who is still quite available. And, she is one to whom you showed particular interest when you were last in town.”
Robert sat up, alert. “Oh?” he asked, trying to sound casual. “Who might that be?”
“Why, the very charming and flirtatious Miss Phoebe Graham. Still flitting about, declining to dance even two sets with any one gentleman. I happened to overhear her at the Harringtons’ ball speaking to a friend—she said she does not wish to give rise to any expectations and has her heart set on a particular gentleman, though she did not name him.
” He studied Robert a moment. “Do I recall correctly? You did show a bit of a fancy for her, did you not? I think her a silly little thing, although quite pretty. Of course, if you truly care for her, pray forgive my blunt speech. She would be a charming companion for you. Perhaps you should return to London and see whether it is you of whom she was speaking.” He laughed.
“Then again, perhaps I should not give you such encouragement. Word has reached me that you are quite nearly engaged to someone in this county. Tell me, is it true? Have you fallen in love?”
Robert took another drink to keep from answering just yet.
His mind was spinning. Miss Graham and her five thousand pounds still unattached?
And, she is longing for a certain gentleman even now?
Could it be him? It was almost too much to hope for, but it might be his one chance to save Brentwood.
He realized Henry was awaiting an answer and chuckled.
“Me, engaged? Rubbish. I have no idea where you could have heard that—I have no designs on anyone here and have made no offers, I assure you. It probably was just gossip that traveled too far, too fast. No, no. I am completely free of any attachments.”
He stood and walked about the room. “Will you stay the night, Henry? I am more than happy to have you here, but I should warn you, I was actually planning on going to town tomorrow, to meet with my accountant. Estate business.” He turned to Henry as though an idea had just occurred to him.
“In fact, since you are leaving to see your family at their country estate, is there any chance I might stay at your London home? On impulse, I put mine out to let since I anticipated being at Brentwood all summer.”
“I cannot stay the night, but thank you for the offer. I simply diverted from my path when I realized how close I was to Brentwood. I must depart soon, in fact. But, yes, naturally, you may stay at our London house. It will be empty for the next several weeks, at least. I shall dash off instructions for you to give my housekeeper, Mrs. Dooley, before I go.”
“Thank you, Henry. It would be so much more comfortable than a hotel,” Robert said.
More affordable, too, he thought. He moved to get the whiskey decanter and pour his friend another drink.
I might be fooling myself that it is I Miss Graham is pining for. On the other hand, this could very well be the salvation I require.