by Tamara Gill
Lord Thomas leaned back. “You are assuming a great deal, Your Grace. If either Lady Abigail or Lord James decide to be difficult, you will find your family in court regardless.”
Nat nodded. “I do understand. However, I must try. For Abigail’s sake. For her future, and for the continued good name of our family.”
Lord Thomas agreed. “When do we start?”
Nat smiled at his solicitor. “First thing in the morning.”
***
Augusta and Violet wondered at the strange man that their father had put into one of the old guest rooms at the back of the house, but they knew better than to inquire. Their father often offered rooms to his clients who might be visiting from outside of London. Still, the rumour from the kitchen was that that man was a stinky old sailor. The sisters had only been home from Asbury for two days, and they were excited to have Penelope join them the following week as arranged. They knew that she was eager to be in London, and while it might have hurt them to know that her interest had more to do with the Duke’s return than with her desire for their company, they were excited just the same. Both of the young ladies had grown fond of Penelope. In their different ways, they were fascinated with her story of tragic loss, a life of abuse, and a sudden rise in fortune. She was right out of the fairy tale stories they had read in the nursery in their childhood.
Their excitement outweighed their curiosity about the stranger in the house and they busied themselves preparing for their friend’s arrival.
***
Nat sent word to Jenkins the morning after he arrived. Within an hour, he opened the door to his room and Jenkins rushed in with a valise in his arms. He set it down on the bed and opened it, revealing several fine sets of clothing for the Duke to change into.
Nat had already had Lord Thomas’ man help him shave and trim his hair, his wound keeping him from doing it himself. He had washed and had been waiting in some of Lord Thomas’ house clothes – the fit was not good, but being clean far outweighed that consideration. Upon the arrival of his own attire, Jenkins helped him dress. As he stood inspecting himself in the mirror, straightening the cuffs of his sleeves, Jenkins cleared his throat behind him.
“Yes, Jenkins?” Nat asked.
“Your Grace… what is going on? Why are you not at home where you belong?”
Nat looked at Jenkins through the mirror. “You just need to trust me, my friend.”
Jenkins shifted on his feet. He was shocked and appalled at Lady Abi’s attitude and activities. There was so much more to her marriage than he had told the Duke in writing. The extent of her sins would raise the hair on the Duke’s neck.
Nat sensed Jenkins’ discomfort. He suspected that there was more than he was being told, but he chose to ignore it for the moment.
“Is Abi still at home?” he asked, as he straightened his collar.
“Yes, Your Grace. She is.”
“And Lord James?”
Jenkins shook his head. “No. He left unusually early. He said he would not be home until after afternoon tea.”
Nat nodded at his reflection. “Perfect. Then we must leave straightaway.”
He tucked the annulment papers Lord Thomas had drawn up into his jacket pocket with a wince at the pain in his arm, and he and Jenkins moved quickly and quietly though Lord Thomas’ house and onto the street.
Chapter Thirteen
The curtains were opened with a rush, causing her to moan as the bright light of day washed over her.
“Doll! What on earth? Shut those damned windows this instant!”
“I will do nothing of the sort, sister. It is high time you were up and about.”
Abi’s eyes shot open, and she immediately regretted it. The heavy drinking from the night before still affected her, and her head swam, but the voice caused her to react without thinking. She sat bolt upright and squinted in the harsh light.
“Nat?” she squeaked.
She saw his silhouette in front of the window, his broad shoulders, narrow waist, so tall he made the window look short. He leaned against the side of the window and stared at her. She could not see his eyes with the light behind him, but she could feel his stare, and she knew that she was found out.
“Nat… you don’t understand… James… he made me…”
Nat interrupted. “Don’t give me that, Abi. I know better. You never have done anything you did not want to do.”
Abigail started to cry, tears welling in her eyes and flowing freely down her cheeks. “You just…”
“Totally know the games that you play when you choose to play them. I will not waste my time telling you how disappointed I am in you. I am here for only one thing.”
Abigail sniffled and stared in his direction, all semblance of self-pity and apology vanished from her face.
“And what is that, brother?”
The ice in her voice cut Nat deeply. Where had his sweet sister gone? Who was this cold, vindictive woman residing in her body?”
He swallowed and with steel resolve, not letting her have any indication of his pain, he moved out of the light of the window so that she could see him more clearly.
He went to the side of the bed and towered over her, looking down at Abi, the full force of his anger flashing in his eyes. He tossed the papers at her.
“You have two options, Abigail. You can go to prison with your dear husband for the rest of your lives for fraud, theft, and impersonation of a nobleman…”
Abigail’s face went white. “Nat… You wouldn’t…”
Nat silenced her with a wave of his hand. “I would. I would match your deception with justice because you give me little choice.”
Abigail twisted the sheet in her hands. “You said I had two options. Nat… what is the other option?”
She watched her brother’s face closely. She had never seen him so closed off to her. At that moment, she realised how deeply she had hurt him, and a twinge of pain touched her deep inside. She could not believe that he would allow her to go to prison, for no one lived very long in prison, even if the family were willing to pay for better conditions for them, and yet nothing in his face or stance gave her any indication of mercy.
Nat stared down at her for several long seconds. He watched the emotions play across his sister’s face. He longed to just make it all go away, as though it had never happened, but he knew that he could not. He had so much else to consider. Just then, Penelope’s face flashed through his mind, and his resolve to have the matter at hand taken care of was strengthened.
“Your other option is on those papers. You will sign them and annul your marriage to Lord James. The grounds we are claiming is that he induced you to marry him fraudulently, with promise of enough funds and property to support you appropriately. I find it rather amusing, given your complicity in helping him defraud me, but it is the only ground that will stand up. Then, you will admit to every part you have had in the stealing of my money, selling of family heirlooms, abuse of my trust, and the use of my name for your own gain. You will do that on those documents which will then be locked away, and held by me in earnest of your good behaviour in future. By your annulment, I will be free to see that justice is served against that man and you will be relatively free to begin anew. I will make sure that far more scandal attaches to Lord James than to you, for my own sake, more than for yours.”
Abigail sighed. “Relatively?”
“Yes. If you choose annulment over prison, you will still be punished. You will no longer take part in London society. You will return to Derhamshire where I will prepare a small home for you to live a quiet life. Should you choose to marry, it will be with my consent only. You will have a small allowance to live on that will end upon your marriage.
“Nat! How can you be so cruel? I cannot… you cannot ask that of me! I love James! I cannot…”
“You can. You will have to, no matter what you choose. You can love him in prison. Or you can love him from a distance. Choose now, sister. I have no time.”
/> Abigail picked up the papers and scanned over them. She noted the terms of the annulment and her agreement to live under her brother’s charity. She considered telling him to take his papers and his charity and go to hell, but the prospect of a life in prison, or worse, should the true extent of her crimes become known, terrified her. Her punishment might be a great deal worse. She swallowed.
“Fine, brother. Have it your way. I will sign the papers.”
Nat stared into his sister’s eyes and saw the resignation, bitterness, and disgust she had for him, and he knew that, even though he was saving her from a life of more pain and hardship, the relationship he’d had once had with her was forever over.
***
“Father?”
Lord Thomas looked up from the book he was reading. “Yes, Violet?”
“Augusta and I were curious.”
“Mmmm? Curious about what?”
“We have heard rumours. The whole house is talking, Father.”
Lord Thomas put his book down and removed his spectacles. “Enlighten me. What is the whole house talking about?”
Augusta, reclined on the chaise lounge, sat up and looked at Violet, who merely nodded her head.
“Well… supposedly a sailor came to visit, but the next morning a gentleman left and there was no sign of the sailor.”
“Come now, girls, surely you know better than to listen to idle gossip.”
“Normally, Father,” interjected Violet. “However, this is under our own roof. We know someone is staying in the back guestroom, and normally we never enquire because we understand sometimes you allow your clients to stay here for a short while. However, this does not make sense, and the staff are quite alarmed. They are generating a great deal of speculation - some of it rather maudlin.”
Lord Thomas nodded. “I see. Very well, I shall tell you, but you must keep this to yourselves. No one, not your Mother, nor the servants, nor your friends, can know what I am about to share with you.”
The sisters exchanged excited glances and leaned forward as their father quietly shared with them who their guest was. Afterward, the sisters retired to Augusta’s room, excitement over the secret they now shared bubbling over.
“Penelope will be so excited!”
Violet, standing in the window that overlooked the street below, glanced at Augusta who was poised to begin a letter.
“Augusta! Don’t you dare! We promised Father!”
Augusta’s smile vanished. “But we must tell Penelope. She has been pining for him so.”
Violet shook her head. “We cannot. Not yet. You heard Father. The Duke is here unbeknownst to everyone for a very good reason. We have to trust Father, and in our way, help keep the Duke’s presence a secret.”
Augusta sighed. “Very well. Penelope will be here in less than a week anyway. No harm done, right?”
Violet nodded and continued to stare down at the passers-by. “Right.”
***
Nat looked at his reflection. He straightened his cravat and pulled his vest down a little. Jenkins stood behind him dusting off his hat.
“Lord Thomas assures me that there will be officers present as well, disguised. They will be at different tables around the room.”
Nat nodded. “He arranged for me to be at a corner table, correct?”
“Yes, Your Grace. His man, Barnes, knows the man who runs the establishment. He will have you seated well before Lord James is to arrive.”
“Very good.” Nat turned to Jenkins. “What of Abigail?”
“She held true to her promise. She told Lord James that she was needed in Derhamshire. She left with nearly all of her belongings shortly after he arrived from his morning appointment.”
“About that. Do you have any idea what that was about?”
Jenkins shook his head. “No. He seemed out of sorts, but that is usual after he loses a great deal of money.”
Nat took his hat from Jenkins, wincing at the pinching feeling in his arm. “How much did he ask to get for tonight?”
Jenkins shifted, “Two hundred pounds.”
Nat grimaced. “That brings the total he has lost or spend to nearly ten thousand pounds does it not?”
Jenkins nodded, “Yes. I have all of the records to show the exact amount, Your Grace.”
Nat sighed. “I hope I won’t need them, but if he insists on playing games, then we will need them for his trial.”
Nat moved to the door, with Jenkins close behind. “When we get there, Jenkins, I want you to stay completely out of sight. If Lord James or any of his friends see you, suspicion may be raised, and we cannot have that.”
“I understand, sir. I will not enter the building at all until after they have arrived, and then I plan on only staying in case of a scuffle.”
“Good.” Nat stopped at the top of the back staircase. He turned to Jenkins. “Jenkins, I want to thank you. I could not have…”
Jenkins stopped him. “It is my duty, Your Grace. You are as much my family as my own blood.”
Nat smiled and clapped the older man on his arm. “Yes. Yes, you are, Jenkins.”
Together, the two men left Lord Thomas’ house and hailed a cab to take them to the gambling house Lord James and his friends frequented.
Upon arriving, an hour before the games were scheduled to begin, Nat was welcomed in and introduced to the two officers who were going to be working with him. The owner of the establishment, a red-faced round little man with a squeaky voice, nervously led the three men up to the main room. As they walked up the stairs, Nat noted the women waiting in various rooms, their make-up too intense, their clothing too revealing.
“Mr. Rhodes, you say that Lord James comes here frequently?”
“Yes, Your Grace. I did not know… Oh, you have to believe… I would never have accepted those promissory notes if I had known.”
The Duke silenced the man with a look. “That will come later, Mr. Rhodes. For now, I want to know more about what happens during these games. Did Lord James’ wife come as well?”
“Why, yes! She gambled as much as he did.”
Nat glanced at the two officers, who pretended not to hear. He leaned forward to the whisper in the owner’s ear.
“Just gamble?”
The man grew even more red in the face. “Um. Well. I do not typically divulge. After all, my client’s privacy, Your Grace.”
Nat sneered at the man and towered over him, the look of malice flashing in his eyes unable to be ignored.
“But then… if you insist…” the man stuttered, “the pair of them sometimes rented rooms here, and often paid for a few of my girls…”
Nat paled, “That is enough. I can, unfortunately, see the picture.”
The owner swallowed and bit his lip. He had known that the Norbury’s were trouble the moment that he had allowed them into his establishment. He had not known how much. Now he regretted ever laying eyes on them, certain that this was the end of his establishment.
Once the Duke was seated and the officers were led to other tables where patrons were already seated smoking, drinking, and laughing raucously, Nat positioned himself so that his face was in shadow. He noted that he was at the table furthest from any light source, and he was satisfied that when Lord James entered, he would pay no notice to him.
Not long after he was seated, he heard the rambunctious laughter of several men as they moved up the stairs. He watched them enter the room, led by Lord James himself.
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am that she has gone away to her country home. She has become such a bore of late.”
“How can you say that, James? I know of no other wives who would take part in this so enthusiastically!” said one of his friends.
Another piped up, “I still cannot get the taste of her…”
The three men laughed.
“Oh yes, that minx. So eager to please that she would have done anything I asked her to if she thought it meant that I would love her more.”
Th
e first man enquired, as they seated themselves near the fireplace. “When will you have another party, James? Between your willing wife and her equally enticing friends, we have not had such a thoroughly fulfilling night in ages.”
James laid a wad of bills on the table and pulled out a cigar. As he lit it, he mumbled around it, still loud enough for Nat to hear in his corner, “She did not say how long she will be gone, but that does not mean that we cannot have a party without her. I am sure that her lovely friend, Janice, would love to play the part of hostess.”
“Mmm… Janice was delightful.”
The second man leaned forward, “Ah… but what of that beautiful young housekeeper? I know you fancied her, James. Have you…?”
Nat leaned in to hear more clearly for he knew they were talking of Penelope.
James took the cigar out of his mouth and glanced around the room.
“Where is that fat old man? I need a drink!” He did not see the owner, so he focused on his friends. “Ah… sweet Penelope. I wanted to include her in our fun, but Abigail was insanely jealous of the girl. By the time I was able to put my foot down about her, she had run off somewhere and left a stuffy old bird in her place.”
His two friends shook their heads. “That is regrettable. She would have been quite the conquest.”
James laughed, “She would have been fun to break, you mean. I doubt she would have joined us willingly.”
Nat’s blood boiled. The young men were twisted and vile. For a moment, he considered just having the police arrest Lord James right then and there, but he took a deep breath and calmed himself down. No matter how dark his sister had become, he had to think of her. He had to think of their family name. He had to think of any future he hoped to have, especially if he hoped to bring Penelope into it. At the thought that she had been in the same house as these corrupt men, and would have been in danger if she had remained, he felt sudden shame - for it was he who introduced her into that world.
