An Unexpected Title (Suspicious Circumstance Book 1)

by Jackie Williams

  “No, Your Grace, not in the slightest. Ormond is well off the beaten track. Your father would always arrange it so. Saves both time and money if two things can be accomplished at once. His Grace knew that and so did your brother. Though in the circumstances I wonder why they were so anxious to…” his voice wavered under Alexander’s sudden icy glare and he stopped mid sentence.

  Alexander perused the contents of the papers with interest. Their second reading appeared exactly the same as the first. Ormond now belonged to him, though for how long he didn’t yet know. Being the last in the direct Currugh line it would have come to him anyway as Lady Anne carried no child and he couldn’t help but wonder at his father’s and brother’s affirmation. He tapped his finger on the desk as he thought.

  “Yes, I wonder too,” he paused, wondering about how to ask for leniency without appearing to beg. He cleared his throat and spoke with as much authority as he could muster. “I will need to see my mother and Lady Anne as well as my father’s steward before I can contemplate any further course of action. Obviously, I have only arrived this evening from Dover and the rest of the journey will take me almost a week. You will give me a month I presume before anything is moved forwards?” He hated the question’s obvious hidden meaning but it had to be asked.

  The man behind the desk nodded briskly sending more showers of dandruff cascading onto his coat.

  “For my own part there is no rush of course. I remain your solicitor for as long as needs be. For the rest I cannot say, but I will endeavour to delay the inevitable as long as possible. There may be a possibility to draw up new terms or offer a settlement. You can be assured that I will work relentlessly on your behalf.”

  Alexander swept his hand through his dark hair, abhorring the way it had pulled from his normally meticulous queue. His hopelessly mad gallop from the dockside to the family solicitor had done nothing for his toilette. He looked down and brushed at a drying mud spot on his coat sleeve before he lifted his head as he gave a mirthless laugh.

  “Only bother if it is on your own time Carter or you can possibly afford the loss. I confess that I didn’t expect to discover this pile of damnation upon my return from France. At the moment I am at a loss as to know exactly what to do. Apart from the shock of losing my father and my brother in one fell swoop I cannot conceive how the rest of this has come about. My mother must have some knowledge of the situation, but I dread asking her. It is not an interview I am looking forward to, though it must be done. I cannot begin to put things right if I don’t know what has gone wrong.” He picked up his riding gloves and glanced out of the window at the rapidly diminishing light.

  Carter nodded wisely.

  “Yes, I am sure that the conversation will be distressing to both of you so I should warn you that there will probably be accusations thrown. The Marquis was a little rash in some of his investments to say the least, but it is not my place to lay blame. The Duke wrote notes to cover the debts incurred, but I doubt that he would knowingly have gone this far. There was clearly some deception on your brother’s behalf. I would never have advised him to go down this route. A very risky business, however, be assured that I will stand by you. Your father has already paid me an advance fee. He was clearly slightly wiser than your brother.” The man shook his head sagely.

  Alexander narrowed his sapphire eyes as he stared at the little man before him. He lifted his chin and slapped his gloves impatiently against his thigh. No one would slander Phillip without coming up against Alexander first. His brother had saved his life as well as being his best friend and fellow adventurer. He remembered all the letters from school, the laughter in the holidays, the pain when they were separated again.

  “My brother may not have been the easiest man for some to understand, that I grant you, but he was my brother none-the-less and the best of men. There is also his wife to consider. Please do not cast any aspersions against his reputation in my hearing or anywhere else, Carter. It will not be met well if I discover gossip being bandied about the salons of the ton.” He pulled his gloves over his long fingers and flexed them inside the soft leather. “I will rest at Albany tonight and possibly tomorrow. I am hoping I can glean more information from my father’s study and then I will head directly to Ormond. You will probably have the leech at your neck by the morning. I trust you will be able to hold him off for a while,” he couldn’t disguise the bitterness in his tone.

  Carter gave a low bow.

  “Of course, Your Grace. The name of Ormond still holds weight. You will have several weeks before the issue becomes urgent. I can promise you that much at the very least. In the meantime I will work towards some form of settlement. There can be no harm in trying. Send word if you have any news that might help. Please present my deepest regrets to the Duchess and Lady Anne.”

  Carter rushed around the desk and opened the heavy oak door, bowing low as Alexander, the new Duke of Ormond, left the room.

  He ran lightly down the steps of the building, the heels of his riding boots clipping loudly in the quiet evening air. He strode to the mews at the back of the row of houses. Midnight stood quietly chewing some oats as a stable lad rubbed the big horse down with a handful of dry hay. Alexander fished in his pocket and flipped the boy a halfpenny. He smiled grimly as the boy’s eyes opened wide in wonder, then he watched carefully as the lad straightened his thin shoulders, lifted Alexander’s saddle from the rail and placed it over his horse’s back.

  “Good lad,” Alexander murmured as the boy fastened the girth and tested it for tightness. The boy grinned as he gave Midnight a last wipe down his neck and then opened the stall door. He unclipped the horse from its tether and led the mighty beast to its owner. Alexander gave the lad a quick nod as he swung himself up into his saddle and turned his horse back onto the street.

  The Albany was not far. He was glad that he wouldn’t have long to let his mind drift over the horror of the evening. He had hoped to make a triumphant return home. The war was over. He had survived it more or less intact and had been desperate to relax in the arms of his beloved family before deciding what he would do next with his life.

  Being the younger son had never bothered him. In many ways it made his life easier. Phillip was expected to excel, to take the title, to create an heir. Alexander’s lot in life had little to do with running an enormous estate and virtually nothing to do with workers and tenants. He had expected to return home to perhaps help Jennings run his father’s stable bloodlines or to maybe create his own.

  There was a small estate awaiting his arrival as soon as Phillip and his wife vacated and he was hoping to build something of a stable himself. His majestic stallion, Midnight was to be the beginning of his new career, but he had arrived at port only to have his heart crushed in his chest as he read the waiting note.

  He only hoped that some of the staff remained in situ. News must have spread of the double death even though the shipwreck had happened only the week before. He wondered how many already knew of his now desperate straits. Gossip could spread through London quicker than the clap spreading through the troops at the peninsular.

  What in God’s name had Phillip been thinking? He couldn’t fathom how his brother’s debts had risen so fast. Phillip wasn’t a gambler, or he hadn’t been when Alexander had left for war. Not much of a drinker either as he remembered. Their childhood forays into his father’s study had given them both a healthy education into the workings and disadvantages of imbibing too much alcohol, but it had been nearly five years since they had last seen each other. A lot could happen in that space of time.

  An almost overwhelming sadness overcame Alexander. He’d not had much time to dwell on the loss of the two most important people in his life or what it would mean if Phillip had died before him. Losing his father had never worried him; it was the natural way of things, but his brother? He loved his brother fiercely and he knew Phillip loved him back. It had never crossed his mind that Phillip might die before him. His quietly spoken, scientific brother
was completely suited to being the eldest son with the duties expected of him from the huge estate at Ormond. He rode only when he had to, he corresponded easily and he negotiated well, but Alexander’s heart ached as he thought of the letter he had received from Phillip three years previously. Clearly those duties had already begun and some of them were clearly not to his liking.

  It had been a dreadful note, written in a shaky script made worse by the rain that dripped through his tent, spelling out the man’s coming doom. He was to be married to Lady Anne, daughter of the Earl of Lavenham. Alexander knew immediately from the tone of his brother’s short note telling him the merest facts about his engagement rather than a letter full of hopes and dreams for the new association, that this was no love match and he had crumpled the letter in disgust as he had swallowed back the pity he held for his elder sibling.

  Alexander put his dark thoughts to the back of his mind as he turned Midnight into the square and peered into the mist that had gathered as evening fell. There were no lights at the windows of the Albany, but then he hadn’t expected that there would be. If any of the staff remained they would undoubtedly gather in the kitchen at the back of the house. His father maintained a minimum household out of season and he doubted that, in view of the confusion surrounding the deaths, his steward would have had the presence of mind to write to inform Bottomley of his employer’s untimely demise. The letter had only reached the family solicitor a few days previously.

  The horse slowed as he reached the passage leading to the stable yard behind the house. Midnight tossed his head impatiently as Alexander squinted into the shadows. Was there even anyone to attend his horse? He dismounted and led Midnight under the arched entrance. The horse’s hooves clattered on the cobbles and there was a sudden flash of a lantern. Hesitant footsteps followed the bobbing light.

  “Who goes there? Master Phillip? Is that you? We weren’t expecting…” the voice faded as Midnight reared back. Alexander stepped out of the shadows.

  “No, Simon. It’s Alexander.”

  There was a stunned silence and then a short snort before an old man appeared from out of the stables.

  “Young Master Alex? No, it cannot be. Alexander has gone to war.” The man barrelled forwards on bowed legs.

  Alexander laughed with no real mirth.

  “No longer, I am returned and can assure you that it’s me, Simon.” The light was thrust in his face and quickly removed as the old man looked upwards at Alexander’s towering form and gasped in surprise.

  “By God and all his saints! It is Master Alex. Sir, you have grown like a beanstalk but broadened much too! I would never have believed those shoulders could have become so wide.”

  Alexander smiled at the old man’s well meaning shock. The last time Simon had seen him he had been but a bony youth.

  “Yes, well I am a little surprised myself considering the rations I have been forced to survive on these past five years. The catering left a lot to be desired but there you have it, I grew regardless though I confess that I am looking forward to some of Mrs. Bottomley’s lardy cake. They have been on my mind for the last five years and especially since I reached port.”

  Simon glanced for a moment at Alexander’s puckered cheek but forbore to comment on the scar. He reached out and took Midnight’s reins from Alexander and gave the horse an admiring glance.

  “Bottomley is idling by the fire, most likely eating his wife’s excellent lardy cake as we speak. He could do with moving his great backside before he becomes stuck to his chair. Go right on in Master Alex. I will see to this beauty, have no fear.”

  Alexander looked down doubtfully at the wizened old man. He smiled again as he saw that there was still strength in the man’s arms and confidence in his stance as he took hold of the mighty stallion. It had been almost impossible to bring the horse home. Space on ship was tight enough already but Alexander had talked the captain around. Midnight was far too great a prize to leave rotting on the battlefields.

  “He was rubbed down not long ago. The stable lad at Carter’s mews was competent enough. Maybe some more oats and then bed him down for the night. Come into the house when you are done. I have news for you all that cannot wait.” He turned away from Simon’s quizzical stare and walked straight to the rear door.

  The heat of the kitchen hit him as he pushed the door open a moment before the surprised shout reached his ears.

  “Lordy! May the Saints preserve us! You scared my ‘eart from my body. Master Alexander, you should have sent word of your arrival. We’ve not ‘eard from Ormond for weeks. Even my sister ‘as neglected writing to me. I am fair put out as I was expecting her new recipe for pig cheeks.” Mrs Bottomley pressed her hand to her ample bosom as she talked about the cook at Ormond.

  Her husband’s feet fell from where they had been propped by the fire and Bottomley shot up from his chair.

  “My Lord, welcome home.” The rake thin man gave a deep bow, then glanced over Alexander’s face and then down to his mud spattered uniform. “You can have only just arrived from France. We’ll make arrangements immediately. Tilly has this moment gone into the parlour to pull the drapes.” He pulled at his rolled shirtsleeves and grabbed for his coat.

  Alexander peeled off his gloves.

  “No reason to go to any trouble. This will unfortunately not be a long visit. In fact I have to leave for Ormond as soon as I have been through some of my father’s papers. There are pressing matters that I must inform you of as soon as possible.” He turned to Mrs. Bottomley. “In the meantime if you could furnish me with brandy and have some of whatever you are all eating brought to the study that will satisfy for now. I need an hour to look through my father’s desk and then I would like you to all join me. I have important news.”

  The Bottomley’s both frowned curiously but nodded quickly as Alexander strode from the kitchen to the hall.

  “His Grace’s supply of brandy is already in the study my Lord. I’ll send Tilly to light the fire and then come to serve you.” Bottomley’s voice reached his ears and he waved him down.

  “I will manage Bottomley. Is there a candle already lit?” It had been a long time since he was there but his father had been an organized man.

  “Yes, Sir and the fire is already set. It only needs a flame.”

  Alexander pushed open the door to his father’s study and stood for a moment looking around at the dimly lit room. It brought memories of the man to mind. He smiled as he remembered his first taste of brandy, sneaked out of the decanter hidden in the desk drawer at Ormond. He also remembered the spluttering fit he had tried to cover as the liquid heat burned a passage down his throat. The following hallucinations had been even worse. His father’s loud laugh rattled around in his head as he told the young Alexander that the sensation of fire in his chest and spinning vision was punishment enough for his misdemeanour.

  He picked up the candle and walked to the mantle. The flare caught the kindling and after adding a few well placed logs of wood, there was soon a glowing fire warming the grate.

  There was a light tap at the door and a young woman entered carrying a covered tray. She glanced up at Alexander’s face in the dim light and he noticed her barely hidden shudder as she took in the scar and then looked away quickly. She placed the tray on the desk and kept her eyes down as she bobbed a quick curtsey before rushing back out of the room, skirts flapping about her ankles as she closed the door behind her.

  He lit the lamps on the desk before he slumped wearily into the chair and sat staring at the flames for more than a few moments. Then his eyes moved to the brandy decanter sitting atop of the cabinet standing in the chimneybreast recess. He wondered if his father still kept the best supplies in his desk drawer and he pulled it open slowly, smiling fondly when he saw the top of the decanter glisten in the firelight.

  He lifted out the heavy bottle and a glass and poured a large measure, drinking it down quickly, savouring the slow burn before pouring another and lifting the cloth from the tray.r />
  There was a selection of cold meats, cheese, pickles and crusty bread at one side of the tray. He smiled as he glanced at the plate at the other end. His stomach gave an audible rumble at the sight of a huge slab of freshly baked lardy cake and dish of custard that sat beside the meats. He ate his fill, savouring all the delicious flavours before he shifted the tray and then delved back into the drawers of the desk.

  He considered himself lucky that his father had been an orderly man. Bills had been clearly marked paid and a set of accounts looked current up until the end of the last season. He ran his finger down the previous six months and immediately noticed a regular sum of five hundred pounds leaving the estate income. He frowned at the name beside the debit and turned it to the light.

  “Oakley?” He queried aloud before looking up at a smart knock at the door.

  Bottomley entered.

  “Lieutenant Denvers, my Lord,” he announced the arrival of Alexander’s most loyal friend. They had fought side by side for many years.

  “Giles, you made it in good time. Come in and rest yourself by the fire. Bottomley, please ask Mrs. Bottomley to rustle up another plate of food and then will you all please wait up until I call for you. I will probably be about the hour.” Bottomley nodded and bowed out of the room as Alexander pulled a second glass from the drawer and poured brandy for the two of them.

  Giles Denvers waited until the door closed behind butler before he lifted his glass and enquired.

  “The news was true?” He settled into the chair beside the fire and peered over at his friend.

  Alexander nodded. Giles had been left standing at the dockside in Dover waiting for his horse to be unloaded from the ship while Alexander had ridden wildly for London.

  “Unfortunately, yes. I can scarce believe the news but I have no time to grieve for I fear the situation becomes worse. I haven’t had chance to check the validity of it all but it would appear that Phillip had passed gaming notes that have not been honoured. A Mr. Gerald Hardacre has bought all the dishonoured debts and is now making enquiries as to how I expect to pay up. At the moment I confess that I am at a loss and I have no one to ask the detail until I can ride to Ormond.”