Chapter Four
The next morning Kate rose early and was downstairs by seven, only to find that Harriet was in the kitchen already.
‘I’m making breakfast for us both,’ Harriet announced.
‘I’ve managed to light the range—do you see?
I’ve already put the kettle on to boil and I’ve set up the toasting rack above the coals. ’
‘Harriet,’ began Kate. ‘Are you sure? The cooker is very old, and I remember it can be tricky…’
She broke off, because suddenly the air was filled with the smell of scorched bread, and Harriet dived to pull away the toasting rack. ‘I shall cut fresh slices,’ she declared. ‘I shall get it right next time—oh! What if His Lordship wants refreshments, Miss Kate? What should I serve him?’
‘Burnt toast?’ said Kate. ‘It’s all the man deserves.’
Harriet laughed but looked worried again, so Kate quickly added, ‘Those scones of Tilly’s will be fine, though I’m hoping the Earl won’t stay long at all.’
‘Indeed,’ said Harriet firmly. ‘You’ll put him in his place, no doubt about it!’
But Kate had the awful feeling that the man would arrive with a whole heap of paperwork to get her head in a muddle.
Harriet too was still fretting over their visitor, and although Kate tried to convince her that the house was perfectly tidy, Harriet was determined to clean each room.
So together they donned aprons, then went around the house, dusting and polishing until they had a visitor who was truly welcome—Joseph.
Of course his hair had grown greyer and his cheeks more lined over the years, but his face still lit up with a smile when he saw her. ‘Miss Kate! It’s good that you’re back at last.’
She pressed his hand warmly. ‘It’s good to be here, Joseph. May I introduce you to my friend, Harriet? And thank you for the welcome supplies you brought over last night.’
‘That was my Tilly’s idea. She would have come herself, but she’s a busy woman. She works nearby as a cook for three mornings a week, and we’ve also got our smallest grandchildren staying.’
‘Wonderful! So you’re a grandfather now?’
Joseph beamed. ‘Several times over. Now, Miss Kate, you might remember that Wednesday is a market day, and I wondered if you would like to come there with me in the gig? You’ll be wanting more supplies, no doubt.’
‘Joseph, I’m afraid I can’t. You see, the Earl of Rivington is paying me a visit.’
‘Ah,’ said Joseph dourly. ‘You’ve met him, then?’
‘We couldn’t exactly help it.’ Kate tried to keep her voice light. ‘There was a party last night, outside his new house. Joseph, however could my aunt have sold her land to a man like that?’
‘I’m sorry. It must have been a shock to you.’
‘Have you met him?’
He shook his head. ‘Not really. He used to visit from London when his house was being built, and occasionally, he called here, though more often he met up with your aunt in Brighton at the lawyer’s office there.
I used to drive her to town in the gig and she was always very quiet when I picked her up. ’
‘Do you think the Earl might have tricked her into selling that land? Forced her, even?’
‘I’m not sure. She was certainly relieved when the business was over, but of course she wasn’t well by then, poor lady.’
And he took advantage of her. How cruel.
Kate nodded. ‘Well, I’m expecting His Lordship here soon, so I suggest you take Harriet to the market for our shopping, while I prepare for his arrival.
’ She turned to Harriet. ‘You’ll do that, won’t you?
I have already written a list of the supplies we need. Off you go, and enjoy the trip!’
After they had gone, she removed the apron she had donned, pinned up her hair and sat in the parlour to await the Earl’s arrival. I will find out the truth, she resolved. I will uncover whatever underhand tactics he employed to get what he wanted.
But by the time the old clock above the fireplace struck eleven, she found herself restless and bored.
Nearby was her aunt’s tall bookcase, so on impulse she put on her spectacles and began inspecting the contents, but she kept breaking off to peer through the window.
One o’clock came and went and she found herself thinking that asking him for proof of his purchase had been a futile gesture, because even without proof, he would have the cleverest lawyers in England ready to defend him.
All in all, she was only asking for yet more humiliation—especially if he wasn’t even going to show up!
Dan had risen before eight that morning and dined alone in the breakfast room.
He’d spent last night alone as well, to the disappointment of various female guests—and that, he’d decided, was Kate Summerby’s fault.
It was ridiculous, but somehow, she’d troubled him with her obstinacy and that look of disapproval in her eyes.
No one else came to join him at the table, which was no surprise after the heavy drinking last evening.
He intended to set off as soon as possible to see Miss Summerby and to keep his visit short, but his plan was waylaid when the butler came in to inform him that his brother was unwell.
‘He made no complaint, my lord,’ the butler said, ‘but the footman who took in his morning tea believed that he was in some pain.’
Abandoning the last of his ham and eggs, Dan went straight up to Oliver’s bedroom and found his brother propped up against the pillows.
Oliver’s face was drawn and pale, but he regarded Dan with suspicion. ‘I hope,’ he said, ‘that the servants aren’t alarming you with nonsensical tales about my health?’
‘I’d be extremely annoyed if they didn’t,’ Dan said. ‘You look feverish. I’m sending for the doctor immediately.’
‘Ridiculous. I’ll be up and dressed by the time he arrives!’
‘You certainly won’t.’ Dan rang the bell and gave orders that a physician must be summoned, but Oliver sighed loudly. ‘I do hate any kind of fuss. Anyway, aren’t you and your companions supposed to be going on an expedition to Lewes Castle today?’
‘That’s not till later. And I shan’t go.’
‘Because of me? For heaven’s sake, my shoulder’s giving me a twinge or two, that’s all. Go out and enjoy yourself.’
Dan grinned. ‘You flatter yourself if you think I’ve cancelled the trip because of you. As a matter of fact, I have an appointment to visit my new neighbour at Clematis Villa.’
‘The awkward one you told me about? Oh, that should be fun.’ Oliver waved a hand. ‘Go on, then. Off you go.’
‘Not until the doctor arrives and I’ve heard what he says. You look bloody awful, by the way.’
Oliver rolled his eyes.
Dan went back to the breakfast room to gulp fresh coffee and, since some of his guests had wandered in to eat, he told them he wouldn’t be coming to Lewes and why.
After that, since there was still no sign of the doctor, he sent another messenger and watched from Oliver’s bedroom window as his friends climbed aboard the carriages awaiting them in the courtyard.
The men were clearly suffering from last night’s excesses, but the women who’d stayed overnight looked dressed up and ready for fun. Bea, Dan noted, had attached herself to Gascoyne. Probably she’d spent the night with him, and he found he didn’t give a damn.
‘Are they off?’ called Oliver from his bed. ‘I hope Lewes Castle is ready for them. It was built by William the Conqueror to subdue rebellious Saxons, and I dread to think what William would make of the visitors rolling up to see his castle now.’
‘He’d probably get his archers up on the roof and order them to repel the whole lot of them.’
Oliver laughed, but Dan was worried because his brother’s discomfort was clearly worse. When the doctor arrived at last, Dan waited out in the corridor for him to emerge from the bedroom.
‘I’m afraid your brother’s shoulder wound is infected again,’ the doctor said. ‘I shall leave medication and I’ll call again tomorrow morning, but send for me before then if he’s growing worse. Light food and plenty of liquids are what I recommend.’
Dan returned to Oliver. ‘Right,’ he said. ‘It’s soup and barley water for you. As for me, I had better head to Clematis Villa and face my new neighbour’s wrath.’
‘You never know. She might have relented overnight.’
Dan had to laugh. ‘I fear not. She was very, very angry with me. She’s questioning my right to this land, so I’m going there with enough proof, I hope, to silence her for good. In the meantime, make sure you rest and take your medicine. That’s an order, do you understand?’
‘Dear God,’ Oliver murmured, ‘it’s as bad as being back in Wellington’s army.’
By the time Dan had grabbed a swift lunch then collected the documents he needed, it was almost three o’clock.
He ordered his black horse, Domino, to be saddled and pondered what to wear—something to provoke Miss Summerby, preferably.
He summoned his faithful valet Hamley, who was astonished to learn that Dan intended to wear his red satin coat.
‘For daytime, my lord?’
‘Indeed. For various reasons, it’s perfectly appropriate.’
So, clad in a red coat, with the addition of a loosely knotted green neckerchief as a final flourish, he set off along the track that linked the two properties.
But his mood was not good. Brighton, he thought.
Why the hell had he let Cecily delude him into thinking that Brighton would be their happy-ever-after?
His guests were enjoying themselves, that was for sure, but Oliver—as usual—was right when he’d said last night that Dan appeared to be drowning his sorrows.
Missing Cecily, in other words.