Chapter 20
Just as Tristan sealed the letter to his steward, responding to the report he had received concerning the estate, he rose from his desk with the intention of giving it to a footman before changing out of his riding attire.
At that moment, a footman knocked and entered, announcing that Nathaniel had arrived to see him.
“Let him in,” Tristan replied.
Nathaniel entered the study, his expression serious and his manner brisk. He took the seat opposite Tristan as the earl returned to his own, and said, “It is all true.”
There was no need for Nathaniel to explain. Tristan knew precisely what he meant: The anonymous account of Lord Ravenscroft’s financial difficulties and dealings was accurate.
He remained silent, waiting for Nathaniel to continue.
Nathaniel drew a folded paper from inside his coat and placed it upon the desk.
“I have made inquiries of my own,” he said.
“The records you received are genuine. Mr. Markham has examined what I was able to verify, and there is no reason to doubt the remainder. Lord Ravenscroft is involved in smuggling, and there are financial dealings connected to it which are plainly unlawful.”
Tristan’s gaze remained upon Nathaniel. He had suspected as much since the papers first arrived, but suspicion was one thing, confirmation was another. “And Mr. Markham?”
“He has agreed to investigate the matter discreetly. He does not wish to proceed against Lord Ravenscroft without sufficient evidence, but he believes there is enough here to warrant further inquiry,” Nathaniel explained.
Tristan nodded slowly. “Then the anonymous account was not intended merely to damage Lord Ravenscroft’s reputation.”
“No. Whoever sent it knew what he was about,” Nathaniel confirmed. “It would be rather interesting to discover who sent it. He is clearly no friend to the baron.”
Tristan hesitated before saying, “There is more.”
Nathaniel's expression changed at once. “More?”
Tristan nodded. For a moment, he remained silent, considering how best to explain what he had discovered. “It concerns Frederick.”
Nathaniel sat forward, surprise etched in his expression at Tristan having mentioned his brother.
“Frederick had dealings with Lord Ravenscroft,” Tristan continued. “Some months before his death, he invested money in a scheme the baron proposed. I warned him against it, but Frederick was determined to proceed. He believed he had found an opportunity that would prove his judgement.”
“And did it fail?” Nathaniel asked slowly.
“Yes. Frederick lost the money. But that was not the end of it.” Tristan frowned, his gaze falling to the papers on his desk. “Knowing what we now know of Lord Ravenscroft, I cannot help but wonder whether Frederick may have discovered something about the nature of the investment before his death.”
Nathaniel's brows drew together in concern. “You think he may have discovered what Lord Ravenscroft was involved in?”
“I do not know.” Tristan shook his head. “Frederick was not content to accept the loss. He was determined to understand where his money had gone. At the time, I thought it was merely his pride that would not allow him to let the matter rest.”
Nathaniel leaned back, considering all his friend had said. “But now you wonder whether he found something.”
“Yes.” Tristan held Nathaniel’s gaze. “If Frederick had begun asking questions about Lord Ravenscroft's affairs, he may have learned more than either of us knew.”
Nathaniel regarded him carefully. “And if he did?”
Tristan's expression darkened. “Then his death becomes rather more difficult to dismiss as an unfortunate accident, particularly as it occurred after he had traveled to London to confront Lord Ravenscroft and set matters straight.”
Nathaniel was silent for a moment before saying, “Having dealings with smugglers is very different from having a man murdered.” He paused, considering his friend. “Do you believe the baron capable of such a thing? Of acting without any moral restraint?”
“I cannot say.” Tristan met his friend's gaze.
“I have no proof. But consider the circumstances. Frederick was involved with Lord Ravenscroft. He lost his money and was determined to discover why. If he had uncovered anything that might expose the baron, Lord Ravenscroft would have had reason to fear him.”
Nathaniel's face grew grave. “And Frederick died soon afterward.”
“Yes.” Tristan's voice lowered. “Knowing what we now know of Lord Ravenscroft, I cannot dismiss the possibility.”
Nathaniel's shook his head, “His death would have silenced him. It is a possibility.”
Tristan gave a grim nod. “Precisely.”
“What does Helena say?” Nathaniel asked.
“I have spoken to her regarding the report I received on the baron’s finances, and about Frederick.
It was what caused me to revisit those memories with a different understanding.
” Tristan sighed. “But I have yet to tell her about the two anonymous notes I received. I thought it best to wait until I had heard from you before disclosing everything to her.”
Nathaniel rubbed the back of his neck. “And how are your nerves, then?”
Tristan laughed grimly. “They have been better.” He studied his friend across the desk. “Helena and I have begun to move away from an arrangement being the foundation of our marriage. In truth, I have been reluctant to tell her of my omission for fear of returning us to what we were.”
Nathaniel smiled. “Yet you cannot truly move forward without honesty between you. Helena is remarkable and entirely suited to you. Do not waste time on this.” He then rose from his chair, “I shall leave you to consider what we have discussed. I will speak with Mr. Markham again and let you know if he discovers anything further.”
Tristan rose with him. “Thank you. I am obliged to you.”
Nathaniel paused at the door. “Speak with Helena.”
Tristan gave a small nod. “I shall.”
Nathaniel's expression softened. “Good. Whatever else comes of this, she ought not to be kept in the dark.”
“I know,” Tristan admitted. “I should have told her sooner.”
Nathaniel smiled. “Indeed.”
He took his leave shortly after, and the study door closed behind him.
Tristan remained still for a moment, his thoughts returning to the conversation.
Nathaniel was right. If he and Helena were to build anything beyond the arrangement with which their marriage had begun, there could be no room for concealed matters between them.
He had withheld the notes, unsure of what to make of them, but he could no longer pretend that silence was the better course.
Tristan left the study and went in search of his wife. He found her in one of the upper sitting rooms, and after a brief knock, opened the door to find her standing at the window with her back to him.
She turned at the sound, and he saw at once that she had been crying; her lashes were still damp, and there was a trace of sorrow in her expression she had not yet had time to conceal.
On the table before the armchair lay Elinor’s writing box, its lid open, with several unfolded pages scattered around it.
Tristan stopped in the doorway, his gaze moving from the box to Helena.