The Duke's Dilemma

by Fenella J Miller

  ‘See who that is, please, Meg. If it is Lord Colebrook, bid him enter.’

  The girl dipped in a brief curtsy, smoothed her apron and hurried to open the door. Hester smiled as he stepped round the girl and walked in without a by your leave.

  ‘You’re looking much better today, Miss Frobisher. As you’re fully dressed and we’re not alone, I shall assume it’s acceptable for me to stay.’

  ‘Of course it is, your grace. You’re very welcome. Tell me, is Polly safely back with you?’

  ‘She is. I’ve already spoken to her and she’s fully recovered. We have your hound to thank for her deliverance.’

  By the time he had told her the whole, Hester wasn’t sure if she was pleased or horrified. ‘Good gracious! I never knew he could be so...so ferocious. I’ve not had him all that long, you see. He was a stray. I found him with his paw caught in a trap and nursed him well. Since then he’s been my constant companion.’ His brow creased – for some reason this information didn’t please him.

  ‘That dog is not a pet; he’s a hunting dog. I think it better if I keep him.’

  She almost choked. ‘Keep him? You certainly shall not, sir. He’s my dog, and the fact that he killed a man today is neither here nor there. He would never harm me, and he was only doing his duty.’ She glared at him. How dare he march into her apartment and start issuing ultimatums in this way? ‘Another thing, I don’t remember giving you leave to ride my horse either.’

  He leant back in the deep-seated armchair crossing his long legs at the ankle and folding his arms across his chest before deigning to answer. He stared at her and she pressed herself in to the seat. ‘It might have escaped your attention, my girl, that you are a female and I am quite definitely the head of your household. I’m your only male relative and as such it is my prerogative to borrow your horse and your dog whenever I see fit to do so.’

  Hester was speechless. The more she saw of this person the more she disliked him. She shook he head as if to rid herself of his presence. The sudden movement sent a violent jolt of pain through her head and she flinched, closing her eyes to allow it to subside.

  ‘You are in pain. I am a brute to bark at you when you’re still an invalid.’

  She was aware he had left his seat for she could feel the heat from his body and smell thedistinctive aroma of lavender soap and leather wafting into her nostrils. She hardly dare open her eyes, not sure what she would be faced with. He was too close. Such proximity made her nervous and her heart race.

  ‘I moved my head too fast, your grace, I’m quite well now, thank you.’ She hoped he’d take the hint that she wished him to remove himself back to his chair on the other side of the grate.

  He didn’t move. Instead he slowly raised his right-hand. He was going to touch her. She flinched away. Instantly he was on his feet, his expression polite, no sign of that disturbing glitter in his eyes.

  ‘I shan’t keep you much longer, Miss Frobisher, but I wished to tell you what I have discovered so far. Shall I return tomorrow when you’re feeling more the thing?’

  ‘I told you, I’m feeling perfectly well. We haven’t yet settled the nonsensical matter of you believing you are my guardian.’

  He raised eyebrow and relaxed, hooking his arm around the back of the chair in an infuriating manner. ‘That isn’t open for discussion, my dear girl. It’s a fact. Indisputable. Whilst we’re both here I am morally and legally responsible for you.’

  She bit her lip. He was right; women, even those who’d reached their majority, were so regarded by the law. Perhaps whilst she was incarcerated at Neddingfield she should pretend to accept his authority and in that way she would at least be able to participate in the solving of this mystery.

  ‘Very well; you have my permission to ride Thunder and take care of Jet.’

  ‘Thank you. Have I also your permission to—’

  ‘If we are not to be at daggers drawn, your grace, I would much prefer it if you desisted from poking fun at me.’ She gave him no time to answer, merely smiled brightly and ploughed on. ‘I’ve been thinking of nothing else but what has taken place here. I believe I might have come up with something. However, before I expound my theories I’d like to hear the facts you have for they might contradict my deductions.’

  ‘I’ll tell you all I know, which I warn you is not much. I’m certain both Aunt Agatha and the staff left here on horseback the day before we arrived. I’m also certain they went willingly and may have been duped by a band of men masquerading as soldiers. I can also tell you that Polly, the girl who was almost abducted today, believed they were looking for her particularly. She told me she’s walking out with the under groom, you would have known him, Sam Roberts?’ Hester nodded and regretted it. ‘This is the girl’s only connection to Neddingfield. Whoever is behind this needs Sam Robert’s betrothed.’

  Neither spoke for a moment, both mulling over the facts. The crackling of the logs and the wind rattling the shutters was the only sound in the room.

  ‘What you’ve told me, your grace, more or less fits in with what I had surmised. You’ve found no sign of anyone within a few miles of here, which makes me think they must have boarded a ship.’ She waited for him to laugh at her explanation but he didn’t; he spoke on another subject entirely

  ‘Do you know, I’m heartily sick of being called Lord Colebrook and your grace by all and sundry. We are related - could you not bring yourself to call me by my given name?’

  ‘Call you Ralph? I should think not; we’re barely acquainted. Miss Bird would fly up in the boughs at such a thing.’ Her lips twitched, unable to resist his pleading look. ‘I shall call you Cousin Ralph; that must be acceptable.’

  ‘Thank you. I shall address you in future as Cousin Hester. Now that’s settled let me think about your theory.’ He slapped his thigh, the sudden sound startling her. ‘Good God! I think you’re right. We haven’t found them and they were certainly heading towards the coast. However, that doesn’t explain what persuaded Aunt Agatha to leave in the dead of night to embark on a sea journey in November.’

  ‘What about the horses? Surely they wouldn’t have taken them? I know Thunder hates to walk across a bridge, let alone board a ship. If they left by sea, we should find their mounts hidden near the coast. Have your men not looked for them?’

  His eyes widened. ‘Looked for the horses? One looks very like another, unless you’ve seen them before. Could you pick any of Aunt Agatha’s livestock from a field of similar beasts?’

  ‘No, I suppose not. But the four grays that pulled her coach must be easily distinguished. Send men out right away to search. Forget about the people, find the animals and we’ll be halfway there.’

  She saw his amusement fade and realized she had offended him with her orders. Too late she understood he wasn’t a man to be told what to do in such a peremptory fashion. Should she apologize or wait until he’d given her a set down? She didn’t have to wait long.

  He began pleasantly enough, his tone bland, leaning forward slightly as if to emphasize his point. ‘Pray forgive me if I have misunderstood, Miss Frobisher. You’re suggesting I send my men out now? In the dark?’

  Hester didn’t answer. She felt it might be a rhetorical question so decided to say nothing. This was her second error.

  ‘I asked you a question, miss, and I expect an answer.’

  He spoke to her as though she was a child. This was enough to give her the courage to speak. ‘Your grace, I most humbly beg your pardon for daring to voice my opinions to someone as top- lofty as yourself. I am, as you reminded me so kindly, a female and as such cannot be expected to have anything worth saying.’

  She stood up, swaying slightly at the effort and waited for him to do the same. She curtsied, intending it to be a gesture of contempt to demonstrate how little she thought of his elevation to the aristocracy or his highhanded manners. As she lowered her head a wave of dizziness swept over her and to her horror she tumbled forward and was unable to do anything to preven
t it.

  ‘Idiot girl!’

  She was lifted and held as if she belonged there, close to his heart. Instinctively she relaxed – he might be an arrogant brute but he was more than capable of holding her safely. She could hear Meg fluttering about in the background obviously unsure what her role was.

  ‘Put me back on the chaise-longue, if you please, your grace.’ She felt his chest vibrate under her cheek and knew he was laughing at her. ‘Please, Cousin Ralph, I should like you to put me down.’

  This time he responded and gently lowered her to the day-bed. He stepped away, leaving Meg to hurry forward to fuss with her pillows and the comforter she had discarded earlier. By the time the girl had finished he was gone.

  ‘Enough, Meg. Please fetch me a glass of lemonade; then go downstairs and find out from Miss Bird when Polly will be well enough to take up her duties.’

  The girl left silently and Hester knew that yet again she had spoken without thought. Her

  desire to be left alone had made her forget that her words could be construed as a criticism of the service she had been receiving. Sighing, disappointed with herself, she closed her eyes vowing to do better next time, especially in her dealings with the duke.

  Chapter Seven

  Hester woke without a headache and the lump on the side of her head had almost disappeared. She was determined today she would go downstairs to meet the rest of the staff. Jet and Thunder must also think she had abandoned them for this was the longest time she’d spent apart from her two companions. She frowned; they were not, according to her cousin, her responsibility any longer.

  She sat up in bed and was immediately struck by an eerie silence. It was still early, she could see from the mantel clock it was just after seven, it would be quite dark outside, but it was more than that. There was a total absence of noise.

  Snow! It must have fallen overnight. Without pausing to push her feet into her slippers or her arms into her robe she ran across to the window. The heavy curtains rattled noisily as she pulled them apart.

  ‘Oh, Miss Frobisher, that’s not your job. I was just on my way in with your chocolate. Why don’t you get back into bed and let me do it for you?’

  Hester was gently escorted back to bed by a girl who looked no more than sixteen, her mouse brown hair neatly pulled into a knot and covered with a white cap. This must be Polly Makepeace.

  ‘Polly, I’m so pleased to see you. Are you fully recovered from your misadventure?’

  A shadow slid across the girl’s face but then she pinned on a smile. I’m right as rain, miss.

  Sitting up a tree for an hour or so did me no harm. I’m that sorry I caused so much bother.’ The blankets were back across her knees and the pillows plumped behind before Hester could protest.

  ‘There. You might be feeling better, miss, but it’s not right you should draw the curtains yourself. That’s what I’m paid for.’

  ‘I wanted to see if it had snowed overnight. It’s so quiet.’

  ‘It has, at least three inches of the horrible stuff. It might look pretty but I can tell you, it’s no fun for those who have to work outside.’

  Hester smiled. She was going to deal well with this girl. She spoke her mind like she did and would make an ideal abigail until Jane arrived. ‘Goodness! If there’s been so much snow my carriage won’t arrive and neither will my maid.’

  ‘In that case, it’s a good thing I’m here to look after you.’

  ‘I don’t suppose one of your many skills includes sewing?’

  ‘It does, Miss Frobisher. I altered all Mrs Mills’s gowns for her. She lost a lot of weight last year after she was ill.’ She saw the girl swallow and turn away. How sad someone so young should have endured so much.

  ‘In that case, Polly, come and have a look at the garments hanging in my closet. If I showed you some fashion plates from La Belle Assemblée do you think you could adapt any of them to match? If I’m not to have my new gowns then maybe you can resurrect my old ones. The material’s good, it’s just the cut that’s a trifle out-dated.’

  She smoothed down the velveteen skirt of the solitary day dress she had brought with her.

  ‘You’ll notice I have no pastels or white amongst my clothes, I wear colours that suit me, not what convention dictates.’

  The two were standing in the closet. Polly picked out an evening gown, the waist fashionably high but the skirt plain, no ruffles or rouleau and none of the fullness that typified current modes. The girl ran the russet silk between her fingers smiling in appreciation.

  ‘This one’s lovely, miss. I can use the train to inset two pieces in the skirt and make it wider. The bodice and sleeves are perfect.’

  ‘Please begin at once. I’ll keep Meg as well then you can devote most of your time to sewing.’

  The matter settled satisfactorily she turned away pleased fate had brought Polly to her. Whatever happened she would try and persuade the girl to stay. She loved Jane, but she lacked the sharp wits she had detected in her new maid.

  Downstairs she was happy to find things much more as she was used to, the wide corridors were still cold and draughty, but this was normal for Aunt Agatha never had fires lit anywhere but the main reception rooms and bed chambers. She was delighted to discover a large fire burning in the grand entrance hall; it appeared that two trees had been dragged in and set ablaze. It made a pleasant change to be able to walk across the vast space without one’s breath freezing.

  Although the place was tidy and the fires burning she had met none of the new staff. Birdie had said there were over a dozen inside staff appointed and half a dozen men out. Where was everyone?

  She glanced out of the window and saw the snow had blown into substantial drifts across the drive. It looked beautiful, like something from a fairytale, but no coaches would be on the road today, that’s for sure. She decided to go to the breakfast parlour hoping the new cook had provided hot food, she, was famished.

  The room showed signs of recent occupation. the duke had obviously already eaten and departed. Not sure if she was relieved or disappointed, Hester tugged the bell-strap and while waiting for attention lifted the silver lids to see what delicacies had been provided for them this morning.

  There were crisp slices of ham, coddled eggs, fresh bread and preserves – more than enough to make a substantial breakfast. She piled her plate and took it to the table, deciding to sit with her back to the fire as from here she could watch the door and see across the park. She was halfway through her repast when the door opened and her companion hurried in.

  ‘What are you doing up, my dear? I’m sure I remember Dr Radcliff saying you must remain in your rooms for another day at least.’

  ‘As you can see, Birdie, I’m fully recovered and refuse to remain upstairs any longer. Where is Cousin Ralph, do you know?’

  She waited whilst Birdie filled her own plate brought it over to sit next to her. ‘He’s out with some of the men,. They’re riding down to the coast; it seems they believe your aunt might have been spirited away on a boat. I wonder what gave them that crackbrained notion?’

  ‘It was I. It’s the only possible explanation. A large ship can anchor easily in the bay and rowing boats come ashore to collect passengers. Aunt Agatha has arrived and departed that way several times; though I’ve no idea why she should have been persuaded to do this when she’d just invited us to visit.’

  ‘I hope you’re not intending to meddle in affairs that are best left to Lord Colebrook, my dear?’

  Hester knew better than to tell Birdie she was determined to be involved, already her cousin had taken his men out into the snow in order to follow her instructions.

  ‘It’s a good thing we’re snug and well provided for here, I doubt if anyone will be able to visit or bring us extra provisions until the snow has gone.’

  ‘It’s unseasonably early to be so cold. I’m sure it will not last long, it rarely does when it comes before Christmastide. I found Polly sitting in your bedchamber altering an
evening gown for you. Are you intending to dress for dinner?’

  Hester flushed; this was exactly what she wished to do. She wanted to show her cousin that she wasn’t a child but a young woman of equal standing. By doing so, if she was honest, she would also appear at her best. This was a new experience for her; she had always dressed to please herself but for some reason she wanted Colebrook to know she was as sophisticated and elegant as anyone he might meet as a peer of the realm.

  ‘I have to wear something in the evening. Good heavens, surely you don’t intend to sit down to dine with a duke dressed any old how?’

  ‘I do not intend to dine with him at all, my dear. It’s not my place to sit with you and Lord Colebrook. I’m the housekeeper at the moment and although I intend to eat breakfast and luncheon with you - in the evening I’ll have a tray in my room as befits my station.’

  Hester stared suspiciously. Since when had Birdie worried about such matters? They did everything together, when she entertained friends at either the Town house or at Draycot Manor, her companion always sat at table with them. ‘That’s nonsense and you know it. You always eat with Aunt Agatha and I, why should anything be different just because my cousin has been elevated?’

  ‘Things are different, my dear, because I am assuming the role of housekeeper and in order to do this properly, I cannot have a foot in both camps so to speak. It’s perfectly acceptable to dine alone with someone who’s related to you. I believe his grace explained that you’re in his charge now. Although you’re of age and have full control of your fortune, whilst we’re here I’m afraid you’ll have to accept he’s standing as your guardian.’

  So that was how the land lay. Hester’s first suspicion about her summons to Neddingfield Hall was not so far out after all. Where Aunt Agatha had left off her companion was continuing. This was patent nonsense; she wasn’t any way under the control of her cousin but if it pleased them both to believe she accepted this, then so be it. She knew Birdie’s intention was to throw the two of them together and hope that they might suit.