Silence of Scandal (7 page)

Giles leaned forwards about to speak but Alexander silenced him with a look.

“God! What a blasted mess to come home to. Half my family destroyed and my home and reputation along with it. Why on earth did father not sell some of the jewels? A couple of those outdated tiara’s would have raised a fortune but Mother insists that he wouldn’t touch them and now they are hidden somewhere within these walls.” He sighed wearily. He knew why his father wouldn’t sell them. If there was blackmail afoot the thief would never give up until the last diamond shirt stud was gone. His father had made a stand and come hell or high water the jewels were going to remain with Ormond. He breathed into the silence. “Tell me about the week running up to the wreck. My father and Phillip both wrote new wills which seems odd in the circumstances whatever Carter says. Neither of them could be upheld anyway as there appears to be no way to raise money to cover the debt and that has to be paid before any other gifts made.” He downed the last of the brandy and rang for another bottle. They waited until Bethany scuttled in and back out again before continuing.

Geoffrey breathed in the dark scent of the brandy in his glass and stared into the fire.

“Phillip confided in me that he was expecting a huge shipment of spirits and some unspecified articles. I assumed he wanted to keep the transaction quiet and away from the ears of the Crown. The ship was to arrive well over a month ago but it never docked. Your brother was frantic, literally walking the cliff tops with his eye glass watching for her every day. I know he went to your father at the end of that week and they immediately called their solicitor. I can only assume that this is when their new wills were written, but then after another five days I heard from down in the village that a ship had been sighted floundering off the coast. Something was clearly wrong and with the weather rising there was concern for the crew. I took the news to your brother and he raced to the coast. The storm blew up that afternoon. The swell was higher than I had ever seen before and the ship came crashing in with the tide. It was clear that they had no means to steer the ship. It hit the rocks at the end of Bluff Cove and started to split but your brother and father insisted on taking out their fishing boat regardless of the danger. They had already made two trips, saving nearly twenty men and I was on the beach hauling in the crew when the ship rolled off the rock with the high tide, but there was nothing that could save it. Your father and brother were too close. They had gone back for a third time and pulled in a dozen more crewmen but they were overloaded as it was. A wave engulfed them and the ship tipped at the same moment.” He looked away from the blaze in the hearth and up at Alexander with glassy eyes. “There were only three survivors who were thrown out of the boat before it was crushed against the rocks. The surviving men came up on the shore half drowned by the waves.”

Alexander thumped his glass onto the table. He didn’t want to think about the way his father and brother had perished. It was too horrible to bear.

“What happened to Phillip’s precious cargo?” His voice was hollow and he had trouble even forming the words.

Geoffrey shrugged.

“What happens to all cargo after a wreck? There were hundreds of people on the beach watching the proceedings or helping with the rescue. Any cargo that washed up disappeared within hours. Barrels of brandy, bales of silks, jars of spices, all washed up and gone in the blink of an eye. I was so tied up with identifying your father and brother and arranging lodgings for the surviving sailors along with consoling your mother and sister in law that I confess that it never crossed my mind to guard any cargo that had washed up on the shore. I assumed that it was all insured, but I have since discovered that there was no cargo to insure according to the ship’s manifest that was discovered washed up in a locked box a few days later.”

Alexander groaned in despair and threw up his hands in resignation.

“So my family were involved in smuggling too…well, at least they appear to have tried to assist with the rescue of crew members lives over saving their own reputations.”

Geoffrey nodded quickly.

“No question about it. They had been to and from the ship twice previously and taken several men on board. The captain refused to leave before all his men were safe and that cost him his life too but I can attest to the deeds of both your father and your brother. Even if that hadn’t been their original intention there was no question that they died heroically.”

Alexander looked up. Tears glistened in his eyes but he blinked them away and stood up. He stared into the fire trying to come to terms with the severity of the disaster now staring him in the face.

“Phillip smuggling, I can scarce believe it. He must have been beyond desperate.” He looked over at Giles who stared back at him as he nursed his brandy. “I have heard enough for one night. We must eat and toast the dead, for whatever their faults they were still my kin and brave ones at that. I feel I have been treated lightly during my years fighting for the Crown. Only one scratch to my body and not a thing to worry about otherwise. It seems that my family had not that luxury. Come, we must eat and then look at the problem again in the morning.”

He led the way out into the dining room where Grady served them a satisfactory if small dinner before they all found their way up the cold staircases to the bedrooms.

Chapter Four

Leg Shackles

Alexander took a deep, steadying breath. His three weeks were up and he was no nearer discovering the truth or uncovering bounteous amounts of hidden treasure. The family jewels were nowhere to be found. Alexander had to surmise that his mother was mistaken and they had been sold along with whatever else could be removed from the castle. Carter was expected within the hour and Alexander was filthy, reeking of sweat and burning flesh. He tore his jacket from his shoulders and shouted for Grady to bring his bath.

Giles picked the splinters from his fingers where he had been helping repair a fence with less than adequate gloves. He stared out at the weed free drive in front of the castle. Clipped hedges showed signs of new growth and beyond the surrounding walls several of the fields had been cleared and ploughed in hope of planting a late crop.

“I’m not sure that any of this has been worth the trouble. Seems to me that you could have sat here drinking your father’s excellent brandy for the last three weeks rather than run yourself ragged trying to tidy up an estate that someone else is going to get their grubby hands on. The only benefit of these weeks being over is that at least you will find out exactly who you are indebted to. At least you will have the satisfaction of being able to punch him in the face.” He winced as a bead of blood drew to the surface of his thumb where he had pulled an extra thick shard of wood. He stuck his finger in his mouth and sucked hard.

Alexander kicked off his mud covered boots and stomped up the stairs in his stockinged feet. He spoke over his shoulder as Giles followed him.

“Better to work than sit here doing nothing but brood over what cannot be changed and I couldn’t stand the smell of rotting sheep pervading every breath a moment longer anyway. I’m glad we have burned the things at last. I wish we had caught the damned animal that ripped out their throats though, but even leaving the carcasses to tempt the beast from its lair didn’t work.” He glanced out over the estate from a stair window. “It’s a shame I haven’t another six months. I feel sure I could turn the place around by then.”

The work was only possible with the goodwill of Ormond’s depleted staff. He had spelled out the situation and even written to those at Albany clarifying the situation. All of those remaining had been glad to keep a roof over their heads for a little longer. That was all Alexander could promise them for the foreseeable future but not one of them had left him and all were more than pulling their weight. Grady had been levered, protesting vociferously, into an apron but he managed to dust and clean quite as well as the women. Sarah, cook and Bethany had been seen weeding the drive and digging in the neglected kitchen gardens. Geoffrey had taken over the stables entirely and two lads who worked the land came in everyday for the loaves of bread and slices of bacon cook gave them every evening. Even the crippled Jennings had been coerced into other work and he could now be seen every morning feeding the chickens or hanging out washed linens.

Giles frowned as he thought about his friend’s words.

“That puzzles me too. Someone is spreading something and it smells exactly like the manure Geoff and I cleared from the stables the other day. Ormond should be able to raise another loan from the banks easily enough but none of them are biting. Now that you are home and dealing with everything it’s obvious that the estate is beginning to pull round. It looks a good investment to me and if I had more than a few pounds to my name I would be tempted to invest in you myself. Someone is clearly scuppering your efforts.”

Alexander stopped at his bedroom door and headed inside.

“I have thought the same thing but rumours of my ultimate failure are probably staying their hand. I am also wondering when the next demand for money will come. It has been several weeks since I stopped any payments to the mysterious Oakley and no further request has been forthcoming. Hardacre doesn’t appear to be pressing Carter for the money owed on Phillip’s notes either. I am beginning to think that with my brother gone so has the blackmailers leverage to raise funds and he is now trying to find yet another hold over Ormond. Clearly he cannot blackmail the dead and he won’t have had much luck finding fault with me. It’s not as though I have been here long enough to darken my own name.”

Giles pondered his words.

“It’s a pity Lady Anne left so soon. She was going to tell us some things, I know it, but her brother turning up like that to remove her from the dower house was a bit premature don’t you think? He looked a bit of an upstart, barely out of school I shouldn’t wonder. I was surprised that she went; she clearly didn’t go willingly. I was hoping that she would overlook my humble beginnings.” He looked a little affronted and more than disappointed.

Alexander laughed. Lady Anne had clearly caught his handsome friend’s eye.

“Idiot, that was nothing to do with your beginnings. They are noble enough anyway even if you don’t have a title. She was removed from Ormond to distance her from my family name when the final curtain falls on Ormond. I suspect that her father already has another suitor in mind for her hand and he wanted her to be unsullied by the relationship with us. A month separation is a long time for the London tongues to wag in another direction. I suspect that I am already forgotten about with whatever the scandal to next hit the ton.”

Giles’s expression had darkened at the thought of another suitor for Anne. He leaned against the door frame and watched as his friend tugged at his soiled shirt.

“I console myself that Lady Anne is the height of propriety. She won’t marry again within the year whatever her brother or father want. She had fire in those emerald eyes of hers and looked a determined woman to me. I doubt she will let them walk all over her. She still has her title. They’ll be hard pressed to make her do anything she doesn’t want after you promised her the income from selling your commission. But all that aside, what are you going to do now Alex? With Evenleigh sold do you have anywhere to go at all? You know that I have a small place in Yorkshire that you are welcome to share. It’s not much but you would have a roof over your head at least until you can sort out some form of employment or get your stud farm started.”

Alexander slumped onto the bed.

“Thanks, old friend but you need to go there anyway soon. You’ve been helping me for far longer than I have any right to expect though it has been much appreciated. You must go and sort out your own living and as it happens I do have a plan. Smith’s abandoned farm cottage at the edge of the estate was never part of the title. I have checked the deed and it’s not included in any of the debts or mortgages. Father bought it years ago when the previous owner died. We let it out to tenants when I was very young but it appears that after Smith and all the others left, father took back the fields into the estate and never let the house again. I’ve been over a few times and readjusted the boundaries. The house, though small, has been kept in reasonable repair, nothing I can’t put to rights within a few weeks and the kitchen garden itself can produce enough to feed one impoverished Duke if managed carefully. I’ve already taken one or two pieces of furniture, things that will never be missed from here so I am almost set up already. Even better, it has a small stable at its rear. I’m going there to begin with and what with being so close to Ormond I am hoping to discover what evil deeds were done to gain my estate. To be honest, I can’t wait for this interview with Carter to be over. I know nothing can be done. I don’t even know why the man was so desperate to come and see me himself. His letter was less than explanatory. Maybe that’s part of my creditor’s plan, to see me physically removed from Ormond so that my family’s humiliation is complete. Thank God I moved mother out of the Dower House and into her sister’s home. Aunt Eloise has promised that she can remain there for the rest of her days if necessary and it is as well that she is gone. She would never live down the embarrassment of being thrown out of her own home.” He pulled his limp, linen shirt from his shoulders and dropped it on the coverlet of his bed.

Giles folded his arms across his chest.

“I’m all packed up. I can leave now if you would like. I don’t really want to see you shown your own front door either but I will stay if you think it prudent. You never know, maybe the man has come up with a last ditch attempt at your salvation.”

Alexander laughed as he sat on his bed and pulled at his stockings.

“I think that’s long past. It’s a wonder that he hasn’t sent a letter before now actually.” He glanced out of the bedroom window taking in a last look at the formal gardens. Now that they were back in some semblance of order he was loath to give them up but he sighed in resignation. “Let me bathe Giles. It might be my last chance for a long hot dip for many a day and I don’t want to miss the chance. I’ll see you downstairs in an hour. With a bit of luck we can drink the last of the brandy before Carter arrives.” He winked at his friend and Giles grinned widely as he closed the door before he turned to his own room to wash and change.

Two hours later Alexander sat speechless in is chair as Giles raised his very full glass of brandy and offered him his congratulations on becoming an engaged man.

“Well, we didn’t see that one coming that’s for sure. Out-manoeuvred, that’s all you can say. Made the right choice, mind you what with what was being offered. Any ideas about the woman?”

Alexander looked down at the papers he had signed less than ten minutes previously.

“Elizabeth Carlton Hardacre. Not a bloody clue apart from the fact that she is the daughter of the man who bought my brother’s debts. Carter assures me she is of age and not carrying another man’s child but I can’t believe what happened today. I’m probably buying back the notes with my own freedom. I just can’t fathom it at all.”

Giles snorted.

“Does it matter so long as you hang onto this place? The conditions don’t seem that onerous to me. Hardacre has signed the agreement. The debts are all rescinded if you marry the girl. It looks to me as though you have come out of this mess with a bargain offer.” He peered at the papers over Alexander’s shoulder.

Alexander grunted miserably.

“It’s not what I would choose to have done, Giles. Marriage should be about love and companionship. I never thought I would have to worry about this sort of thing what with being a second son. I know it’s not been on my mind the last five years but children were something I had always assumed would come along at some point in the future when I was the master of Evenleigh. I don’t see how that’s going to happen now. Ormond will probably end up in the hands of some long forgotten cousin. Father was an only child but his grandparents were prolific. There must be ten great uncles and all their offspring gracing the countryside here a-bouts.”

Giles laughed at his friend.

“No heir? Are you going to live as a monk then? It’s not as though I can see you with a string of mistresses. Couldn’t even interest you in any of the wenches in those French brothels and a few of them were more than pretty. They were downright beautiful and very willing to entertain.” He grinned at the memory before making another point. “But that aside, the marriage will have to be consummated to be legal.”

Alexander frowned deeply. His amorous adventures had not been as numerous as he would have liked but there had always been a certain level of attraction between him and his previous bed partners. He’d never had to visit a brothel in his life. He thought about Giles’s last words as he stared down at the papers again and looked over the conditions.

There would be an announcement in the London press and a ball at Ormond to celebrate their wedding. There could be no annulment under any circumstances. His wife was to enjoy all the privileges of a Duchess. No other heir but one born from their marriage could turn Elizabeth Carlton Hardacre from her new home if Alexander was to predecease her. It all looked pretty straightforward and at least there was no clause that stated he had to bed the woman three times a week for the foreseeable future. He could carry on as now and ignore her if he felt like it. All he had to do was marry her to settle the debts. He stared at the papers, looking for the trick but for the life of him he couldn’t see one.

He guessed that there was some difficulty that he would have to overcome. Gaining his family home back couldn’t be this easy. The woman was probably a middle aged hag with a vicious tongue who had been left on the shelf well past her prime. He sighed and wondered how on earth he was going to sit and converse with someone who came at the price of his home. It really didn’t bear thinking about. He looked up at his best friend.

“You’ll stand with me at the ceremony, of course. I don’t fancy bringing mother back from her sister’s to watch me meet my doom and I’ll need a witness. These papers say that Carlton must stand as the other to make sure proceedings are followed to the letter. The receipted notes will be handed over immediately after the ceremony.” He swallowed as the enormity of the situation set in. “Good God Giles, I will be leg shackled with no way out in less than forty eight hours. I don’t know a thing about the bloody woman and I have no idea what to make of all of it. I only hope I am doing the right thing. There’s still time for me to back out of it and become a farmer, you know.”

Giles bellowed with laughter.

“And give up all of this,” he waved his arm expansively about the room. “You would have to be out of your mind. For God’s sake man, if she’s that terrible install her in the east wing and move into the west one. There’s almost a hundred yards between them. Have the evening sunshine on your terrace and never cross paths with the woman again except to hand her pin money and even that you can arrange through Geoffrey or Grady. You will be able to afford to pay your staff and live the life you deserve. I think we should drink to that.”