A Matter of Choice

by Laura Landon

  “These,” he said, handing Joshua a stack of papers, “are all the outstanding notes your father has accrued. They have been paid in full. Every Ashbury property is now debt free.”

  Joshua thumbed through them, trying to hold his temper in check. Each page indicated nothing but flagrant mismanagement. It was obvious his father had intentionally tried to destroy the dynasty his ancestors had built rather than let Joshua inherit it. “You’re sure these are all of them?”

  “Yes. And as per your instructions, when each debt was paid, the creditor was notified that you personally paid the debt, and you will not, under any circumstance, honor any further debts accrued by your father. We also made sure each creditor understood that your father’s income is tentative at best, and totally dependent upon you.”

  Joshua pushed his chair away from the desk and walked to the window. He didn’t look at the solicitor, but stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Mr. Graham listed off completion of Joshua’s other instructions.

  “In addition, his club as well as any other establishment where your father does business have been notified that His Grace does not have the resources to cover any large expenses. Nor will any further debts be covered by you.”

  “Have you talked to Mr. Nathanly, my father’s solicitor?”

  “Yes. We conversed a second time this morning before I left London. He is well aware of the allowance you set up for His Grace, as well as the stipulations concerning the notes you now hold. He was quite shocked by the steps you took to save your inheritance. He doesn’t relish the idea of informing your father of the changes in his status.”

  Mr. Graham paused as if searching for the right words. “I can’t say I blame him. Your father’s precarious mental condition since your brother’s death is common knowledge. Even though you have done what is obviously best, I doubt your father will see your actions in that light. He will no doubt consider what you’ve done as…”

  “Traitorous?” Joshua finished for him. “Blackmail?”

  Mr. Graham’s silence was answer enough.

  “Is His Grace back in London?” Joshua asked, turning back from the window.

  “No. Mr. Nathanly did not know when he intended to return. I think he is glad for any reprieve.”

  “Putting off the inevitable will not make it go away.” Joshua took his glass from the table and drank. “And nothing where His Grace is concerned is ever easy.”

  “That brings us to the other matter you insisted upon. Are you sure you do not wish to change your mind, Lord Montfort?”

  “No.”

  “But it is highly irregular to—“

  Joshua held up his hand to silence the solicitor. “My instructions will be carried out to the letter.”

  “Very well,” Mr. Graham said, shaking his head as he took out another set of papers. “This is the agreement as per your instructions. Ashland Park is entailed, of course, as are the estates in Kent and East Sussex. These cannot be given away or sold, but will pass with the title, if not to you, then to the next Duke of Ashbury. There are, however, several properties adjacent to Ashland Park, as well as a number of shipping and mining investments that are not entailed, and, of course, there is Graystone Manor. All of this, should anything, God forbid, happen to you, will go to your wife, the Marchioness of Montfort.”

  Joshua walked to the table and lifted the decanter of brandy. He filled his glass part way and downed it in one swallow while listening to the solicitor outline the details.

  “I attached this document to your marriage contract which was drawn up by the marchioness’s brother, the Earl of Hartley. It basically states the same details. Everything that is in your name, including Graystone Manor, will go to the marchioness either upon your death, or in the event that you are found…unfaithful.”

  “Yes. If ever I am unfaithful.”

  “May I say that is a most unique stipulation to be placed in a marriage contract?”

  “That is because my wife is a most unique person.”

  “But aren’t you concerned that—“

  “No, Mr. Graham. I am not. You have not met my wife. If you had, you would realize that death is the more likely possibility.”

  The expression on the solicitor’s face was a mixture of disbelief and admiration.

  Joshua set his glass on the table and clasped his hands behind his back. The solicitor took the hint that their meeting was at an end. “Will you return to London soon, my lord?”

  “Yes. At the latter part of next week. I do not anticipate it will take long for His Grace to realize what I have done. It will be more…convenient to face the repercussions in London than here.”

  Joshua hoped it would also be safer. His father would be furious at best, murderous at worst. He prayed it would not come to that.

  Thadius Graham collected his papers and walked to the door. With his hand on the knob, he turned to Joshua.

  “Lord Montfort. One word of warning before I go. Please, do not underestimate His Grace. In listening to the opinions of those who have had recent dealings with him, it is apparent he harbors great resentment toward you. The situation in which you have put yourself could be quite volatile. I fear His Grace is capable of almost anything.”

  “I appreciate your warning,” Joshua said.

  “For what it’s worth, I think your actions admirable. Quite unorthodox and perhaps desperate, but necessary.” Mr. Graham bowed graciously. “Good day, my lord. I wish you every success, and…”

  He smiled. “I look forward to meeting your wife.”

  Chapter 13

  Allison watched the countryside slide by and wanted to scream for the driver to stop and turn around. The last two weeks had been the most perfect of her life. She couldn’t shake the feeling that once they returned to London everything would change.

  The farther they traveled from the peaceful serenity of Graystone Manor, the more nervous she became. She needed Joshua to hold her and tell her everything would be all right but his mood was one of the reasons for her discomfort. Even the click of the horse’s hooves over London’s cobbled streets seemed to echo a warning.

  “Is something wrong?” she finally asked. She focused her gaze on the deep furrows that etched his forehead. He’d been quiet and withdrawn ever since they’d left. Now, as they made their way through the city to their London townhouse, he seemed more distant than ever.

  “I’m sorry, Allie.” He lifted the corners of his mouth to form a smile that wasn’t quite real. “I haven’t been very good company, have I?”

  “I don’t need to be entertained, Joshua. But I can tell something’s bothering you. I wouldn’t mind if you shared your concerns with me. Perhaps I could even help.”

  His glance shifted from hers, to stare absently out the window. “There really isn’t anything to be concerned over.”

  “Yes, there is. And it started the minute Mr. Graham came to see you last week.”

  His gaze shifted slowly back to hers. “How observant you are.”

  “The change was hard to miss. Are you sure I can’t help?”

  He reached over and clasped her hand in his. “It’s nothing. Really.”

  But it was. And she knew it. She’d known it from the minute Mr. Graham left. Joshua packed every hour full from dawn to dusk, as if each day were his last chance to take care of his estate. He rode over the land, met with the manager and each tenant, gave instructions for improvements and changes he wanted made, and pored over the ledgers.

  There was a fervor in the way he drove himself, a tenseness about the way he held himself, and a desperation in the way he made love to her.

  He worked himself to exhaustion during the day and made passionate love to her each night, holding her close when they were finished as if she were a lifeline, a safe harbor he desperately needed.

  Something was wrong. But she couldn’t force him to share it with her.

  The carriage turned another London street corner, then slowed. They were home. She reached
out and placed her hand atop his. “Do not forget I am here if you need me.”

  He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. “I will not forget, my lady.” He kissed her fingers a second time, then exited the carriage and turned back to help her.

  Carlton met them at the door, greeting them with the same regal look he’d worn when Joshua brought her here on their wedding night.

  “Are there any messages?”

  “The messages are on your desk in your study, my lord. I divided them by importance: those that are urgent and need an immediate reply, invitations to events you may or may not wish to attend, replies that can wait until you have time.”

  “Thank you, Carlton. Has the Marquess of Chardwell sent a message?”

  “Yes, my lord. As soon as I received word you were returning, I informed him, as per your instructions. He sent a message back with your footman. I expect him momentarily.”

  “Very good.” Joshua held out his arm for her to take. “I’m going to see Lady Montfort to our rooms. Show the marquess to my study when he arrives and tell him I’ll be down shortly.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  He led her up the stairs. When they reached their bedroom, he cupped his hand to her cheek. For a long minute he held her in his arms and looked into her eyes as if searching for something.

  Then, on a sigh that shuddered, he slowly lowered his head and kissed her. His kiss was warm and seeking, tender and passionate. An open display of his gentle nature.

  For many long minutes he kissed her as if each touch held a special meaning. When he finally lifted his mouth, she had to lean her forehead against his chest to hold steady.

  “I’ve wanted to do that all the way to London,” he said, trying to catch his breath.

  “Then why didn’t you?”

  He laughed. The first real laugh she’d heard for nearly a week.

  “Because I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop. With our driver seated barely two feet away, I didn’t think you would relish an audience while we made passionate love.”

  She felt her face turn hot.

  “I love it when your cheeks turn red like that.” He kissed her again. “Now, I’ll send Emma up with some tea, then I want you to rest for awhile. The journey here has probably tired you.”

  “I’m fine, Joshua. Please, don’t leave me.”

  Her stomach churned and an uncomfortable weight pressed against her chest. Something was wrong. She could see it on his face, feel it in his touch, hear it in his voice. She had to try once more to help him. “Why did you send for Chardwell?”

  “Because I have some business to discuss with him.”

  “Like you had business to discuss with Mr. Graham?”

  Joshua took her in his arms and held her close. Her cheek nestled against his chest, her arms wrapped around his waist and he rested his chin on the top of her head. “Do you know what your problem is, wife?”

  “I am too persistent?”

  “Yes. And…?”

  “I meddle into affairs you would rather I stayed out of?”

  “Yes. That too. And…?”

  “There’s more?” She dropped her head back to look at him.

  “Yes,” he said, kissing the tip of her nose. “You are too wise for an average male to keep secrets from. Too inquisitive for your own good. And too, too caring to stay away from a situation that it might be best if you avoid like the plague.”

  “And that would be?”

  “Perhaps nothing. I will know more after I talk to Chardwell.”

  “And if he brings you bad news, will you share it with me?”

  “If I think it is something you need to know.”

  “Please. Don’t shut me out.”

  “I couldn’t even if I wanted to. You wouldn’t let me.”

  He kissed her lightly again then left.

  She watched his back as he walked away from her and wanted to call him back. She was not an immature youngster fresh out of the schoolroom, but had spent many years on her own. What could be so bad he couldn’t share it with her?

  She sat on the edge of the bed and tried to calm her nerves. If she was to be his wife, she wanted to be a wife to him in all things.

  +++

  Joshua closed the bedroom door behind him and leaned against the wall. Why couldn’t he have married a woman whose only concerns were adding new gowns and fripperies to her already extensive wardrobe, and deciding which balls to attend? Why couldn’t he have chosen a woman who was dull-minded and only concerned herself with the latest parlor gossip?

  Joshua pushed himself away from the wall and made his way down the stairs. He knew very well that he couldn’t tolerate a wife who was shallow and dull-witted. But Allie was so intuitive it was difficult to keep anything from her. Yet in this, he had to. He had to protect her from his father’s vile temper and vindictive wrath.

  He threw open his study door and entered.

  The Marquess of Chardwell sat in one of the two matching wing chairs angled before the desk with a glass half filled with brandy in his hand. “Well, Montfort,” he said, the open grin on his face a welcome sight. “I must say it looks like married life agrees with you.”

  “It does. I find I have married a remarkable woman. When this is all over between my father and me, I have decided to devote as much time as it requires searching for the perfect match for you, too.”

  Chardwell sputtered on the brandy in his mouth. “Spare me, Montfort. I have no desire to sacrifice my freedom for the sake of keeping you company in the marriage doldrums. Just because you have gone the way of all foolish men does not mean I intend to follow the same path. I enjoy my life far too much to see it change.” He lifted his glass in a symbol of a toast. “By the way. Angelina sends her greetings.”

  Joshua managed a laugh. “I am glad the two of you are getting along.”

  Chardwell smiled. “We are.”

  Joshua shook his head, then took a drink of his brandy. When he finished, he set his glass down on the desk. “What do you hear of my father?”

  Chardwell hesitated before he spoke. “It’s not good. He arrived two days ago and has made a number of uninvited appearances at several balls in search of you. He is never sober and, if rumors are to be believed, has made an embarrassing spectacle of himself.”

  Joshua raked his fingers through his hair. “He’s bound to be furious.”

  “Furious is not the word Society uses to describe him. The opinion spreading through the ton questions his sanity. If I were you, I’d stay clear of him.”

  “Perhaps if I talk to him he will—“

  Chardwell bolted to his feet and slashed his hand through the air. “He wants you dead, man. As dead as Philip is. He blames you for your brother’s death and won’t be satisfied until they bury you, too. Now he’s ranting that you have stolen everything from him.”

  Joshua pushed his chair back and turned to look out the window behind him. A gentle breeze blew the leaves on the trees, the calm serenity outside so opposite the turmoil raging inside. “I have.” He braced one hand against the window frame. “I bought up all his debts with my wife’s dowry, and now I own everything, except of course the properties that are entailed. Those cannot be touched, nor can he borrow any more against them.”

  “Bloody hell, Montfort.”

  There was a long silence before Joshua could speak. “I realized what he was doing before I married. He was intentionally losing everything so there would be nothing left for me to inherit.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Nothing my father’s ever done where I was concerned has made sense.”

  “He’s not rational, my friend.”

  “I’m sure he isn’t. His credit has been cut off all over town and he’s left with few options. I’ve set him up a substantial allowance, but I doubt if his pride will allow him to accept it.”

  Chardwell took a drink of the liquid in his glass, then leveled his gaze. “He’s dangerous, Montfort. He’s always been
volatile, but even those who claim to know him say his mind has snapped.”

  “I’m not worried. There’s little he can do.”

  “Just be on your guard. And don’t let your wife take any chances either.”

  “What does Allison have to do with this?”

  “Rumor has it he blames her for his troubles. Her dowry, after all, gave you control over him.”

  So help him, he would never let anything happen to her. She’d done nothing, nothing except give herself to him.

  He clenched his fists at his sides and breathed a deep sigh. He knew what he had to do. He had to go see his father, had to convince him Allison had nothing to do with his troubles. He couldn’t let Allison get caught in this web of bitterness and hatred. He couldn’t let his father think she was responsible for any of this.

  “Do you know where he is?”

  “Stay away from him,” Chardwell offered, his voice almost a command.

  He shook his head. “I can’t. This war between my father and me has gone on since I was born. Waiting another day or two will not make it go away.”

  “Then I’ll go with you.”

  “No. But if you do not have another engagement, I would not mind if you stayed here until I return. I don’t want Allison left alone.”

  Chardwell nodded.

  Joshua threw the remaining liquid down the back of his throat and walked to the door. Without a glance back, he left the room.

  Allison would be safe until he returned.

  Chapter 14

  Allison poked her needle through the front side of her embroidery and brought it to the back, knotting the medium brown thread at the bottom of the tree trunk she was creating. It was the same piece she’d worked on every day for the past two weeks since they’d arrived from Graystone Manor. She was fortunate the wall hanging didn’t take a great deal of concentration. She doubted she could keep her mind focused long enough to handle anything more intricate. By now her scene would probably have purple trees and a green sun.