“I was a lost and wayward soul last night,” Jonathan confessed, trying to sound cordial, though he immediately recognized Stephen’s voice as one of those he’d heard while eavesdropping. He wanted to give the man a good thwacking for his dastardly plan against Anna. However, having no proof that Stephen had said such things to present to Anna, he would stay quiet for now. His eyes traveled to Shawn, who was standing at the long window, holding a glass of sherry and looking at him with amusement. He wondered if the Duke could tell by the look on his face that he wanted to tell him something with a desperation that was making his chest hurt.
He looked back at Stephen and then Anna. If he were to tell Anna and she was to believe him a liar, he would lose a friend very quickly and be booted from their home in front of the Duke and Duchess of the land. Perhaps violently, knowing Stephen’s demeanor. “Your dear sister helped me.”
“How nice of you, Anna.” Stephen nodded, turning to the bar. “That sounds just like you. Would you like a drink, Sir Jonathan? Your Grace, do you need a refill?”
“I would be grateful for that, thank you.” Anna released him. He made a beeline for Shawn, nodding at Elizabeth, who was seated on a settee a few feet from where Shawn was standing.
“Your Grace,” he said softly.
Shawn laughed quietly. “Jon. I told you not to leave last night. But it seems God had other plans, as you are now in the home of your neighbor, finally realizing she is here.”
Jonathan narrowed his eyes. “My lord, please tell me you are not saying what it sounds like you are saying.’
“What do you mean, Jon?” Shawn blinked innocently at him, raising his eyebrows and his drink at the same time. He took a sip to hide his smile.
“I didn’t know I was on her property, Shawn,” Jonathan said.
Shawn nodded. “I perceived that when I arrived. And that, my cousin, is just another reason why you should not have left last night.”
“It was meant to be,” Elizabeth chimed in, also keeping her voice quiet, as Stephen and Anna had started their own conversation. “You do not attend parties, you have no social life; you come to our manor and drink with Shawn and then leave.”
“I have business, my lady.” Jonathan’s light tone indicated his respect for the Duchess. She had been married to Shawn for only a short time, but was highly respected by everyone in the entire Fairbanks district, which was large and spread out, filled with many smaller provinces and territories, run mostly by other cousins of Shawn.
Stephen handed a small glass of brandy to his sister. “Anna, you received a letter from the Prince Regent. It’s on the table there. Why don’t you read it?”
Anna picked up the parchment. “It looks like you’ve already read it, Stephen. Why don’t you paraphrase it for me?”
Stephen walked to the window to hand Jonathan a glass filled almost to the top with brandy. Jonathan looked at it and gently brought it to his lips to take a sip so that it wouldn’t spill over the side. “It says that you have to marry by the time you are 25 in order to receive anything from Father’s inheritance.”
Jonathan almost choked on his brandy. He glanced at Shawn, whose eyebrows had lifted once again. They all looked at Anna, though Jonathan noticed that Elizabeth’s eyes had narrowed and she was glaring at Stephen. The man had not attempted to put it mildly. He was extremely blunt about it. He didn’t mention that he would inherit if she didn’t marry.
Anna let out a small squeak, lifting one hand to cover her mouth so that the liquid wouldn’t spill out before she could swallow it. “What? I will have my birthday scarcely a month from now. How am I to find someone that quickly? I have no interest in any of the men in society! Do I have to marry a man with a title?”
“Perhaps you should read the letter in its entirety, Anna,” Jonathan prompted.
“I agree,” Shawn said. The look on his face made it clear that he himself wanted to snatch the letter from Stephen and read it thoroughly.
Jonathan was glad the Duke agreed with him. If she read the letter, she would see the part about Stephen inheriting if she didn’t get married. He wanted her to know the information and would not be able to tell her himself. He had no way of explaining how he knew. He didn’t want her to think badly of him so soon in their budding relationship.
Anna looked at her brother. “Perhaps I should.”
“There is no need, Anna.” Stephen shook his head, but held the letter away from her. He was aware that the Duke of the land was in the room, though he only seemed to care a little. “It does not make mention of a title requirement. It just says that you must marry or be engaged to be married by then.”
“Why did he not send a message before now? This does not give me very much time.”
“It says that a letter was sent five months ago, which would have given you much more time. You didn’t receive it?”
Anna frowned at him. “Do you not think that had I received such a letter, you would know of it? I would have been attempting to find a husband if I had known! How could this have happened? What will become of us if I do not find a husband?”
“You won’t have any trouble finding a husband, Anna.” Jonathan took a few more swallows of brandy and walked to her. “You are a fine woman. I’m sure that if you attend the upcoming ball, you can choose your own man from those that will crowd around you.”
Anna stared at him with a blank look that was only broken by the twitch of her lips in a barely noticeable smile. “I…I have nothing to wear.”
“Please…allow me to purchase a new dress for you. I have some extra in my account and would be happy to help.”
“We will help you, Anna.” Elizabeth stood and went to her friend, pulling Anna into a close hug. “You know we won’t let this happen to you. Keep your faith, dear. All will be well.”
The look on Stephen’s face revealed his unhappiness with their help. Jonathan caught the look. He glanced at Anna, but she didn’t seem to notice Stephen’s discomfort. Her eyes were on Elizabeth.
“I cannot ask you to do such a thing, Elizabeth. And Jonathan, we may live close to each other, but I’ve really only seen you once or twice since Shawn and Lizzie’s wedding. I can expect nothing from you.”
“You aren’t asking me, my lady.” Jonathan came closer, looking at her kindly. Elizabeth was shaking her head. “I’m offering. Please do me the honor of allowing me to purchase a beautiful gown for you. It’s imperative that we find a husband for you. I know you need the money your father left to you. It is truly unfair that you cannot be given it outright without recompense.”
“And my goodness, Anna, we have been friends for years. Do not expect me to let this happen without putting my nose in as well.” Elizabeth grinned wide, a contagious smile that appeared slowly on Anna’s face in return.
“Will you find a husband in time, Anna?” Stephen lifted his glass to his lips and peered over the rim at his adoptive sister.
Jonathan could see he was trying to keep the look of disdain hidden. Of all people, Anna should have been able to see it. She had grown up with him and knew what sort of man he was. Nevertheless, she didn’t seem to see or hear his rebuke.
She moved her eyes from Anna to Jonathan. “What would I do without true friends like the two of you?”
“And to think we have not spoken as friends for some years.” Jonathan shook his head. “What were we thinking?”
“It is what life is, Jonathan,” she replied, holding out her arms so that he knew she wanted a hug from him. “We won’t let time separate us again, will we?”
“No. I won’t let that happen,” he responded. “Perhaps we could go for a ride to the shops later this afternoon?”
“I would like that. Thank you again, Jonathan.”
He waited until that point to move into the hug she was offering. She giggled, a sweet sound that made Jonathan squeeze her just a bit tighter.
“I don’t know if you will be able to find a husband in that amount of time, Anna,” Stephen said, ann
oyed that he was not the center of attention. “Do you truly expect to become engaged in less than a month, after attending one dance?”
“I think Anna has a very good chance of becoming the belle of the ball on several occasions in the next month, Stephen,” Shawn spoke up, approaching them from the window, which cast a bright light all around him, making him appear to glow. “In fact, Elizabeth will have at least one ball or dance per week just to ensure that she has ample opportunity.”
“Oh, Your Grace, thank you!” Anna’s cheeks were flushed prettily.
Shawn lifted his glass to her. “It is truly our pleasure.” He cast his own disdainful look toward Stephen. “Perhaps you should not be involved in the choosing of a husband for Lady Anna, Lord Dunning, as I can see you are not confident in success. Please do leave the planning to her friends.”
Jonathan was almost taken aback by the dictatorial tone in his friend’s voice. He hadn’t heard Shawn giving orders that way before, not even to his servants.
Stephen had made a very big mistake. He had made enemies with the Duke of Fairbanks.
20
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“You weren’t the Earl’s son though, Stephen. By law, inheritance can only go to those who are blood related. It was good of the Earl to adopt you as it was.”
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CHAPTER TWENTY
AT THE TAVERN
After further discussion, it was decided that Anna and Elizabeth would go to the shops, deciding what to purchase, what would be put it on Jonathan’s bill and what the Duke and Duchess would purchase. Elizabeth’s only rule for the shopping trip was that Anna had to stop thanking them for their generosity and promising to pay it all back.
As they pulled away in the carriage, Elizabeth waved to her husband and Jonathan through the window. “Tell me, Anna, why is it that you and Jonathan are not courting?”
Anna was a little surprised by the question. “We are childhood friends,” was all she could think of to say.
“That is an even better reason to consider courtship. You seem to get along with him very well.”
“We are just newly reacquainted, Lizzie. I could not even consider such a thing without giving it more time.” The look on Elizabeth’s face surprised Anna. It made Anna feel like she had said something very stupid. “Why do you have that look, my lady?”
A gentle smile covered Elizabeth’s fair lips. “Anna, you are about to go searching for a husband when the perfect husband for you stands to the side, purchasing you clothes so that another man can sweep you away.”
Anna shook her head. “It seems to me that Jonathan would have let that be known if he had any deeper intentions toward me.”
“But, my dear, he has only had one morning to even process being back in your life as an adult instead of a child.”
“And that is exactly my point, Lizzie. We are just getting to know each other again. He is like a stranger.”
“He is not a stranger to you, Anna. And you are going to put on fancy clothes and go meet a stranger to pick a husband anyway.”
“You don’t know that. My husband could be one of my friends and I don’t know it.”
“Oh for goodness’ sake!” Elizabeth felt mild frustration mixed with amusement. “We are talking in circles. As your friend and as the Duchess of Fairbanks, I am telling you to keep Jonathan open as a possible suitor. That’s what I am trying to say! Now, no more riddles. What types of fabrics and colors do you prefer?”
* * *
Jonathan leaned toward Shawn, debating whether or not he wanted to be up front with his suspicions of Stephen. After thinking about it, he felt he could not be sure that the voice he’d heard was the man. If he falsely accused him, Stephen could very well come up with a counter accusation that might tarnish his own reputation, whether true or not.
The tavern was surprisingly full. He was glad they were not reacting to the Duke. He knew most of them, but it seemed they were unfamiliar with who the Duke of Worthington was. It seemed odd to him, but he was pleased that they were not getting the kind of attention Shawn often got when they went out for a drink. Although the other people in the tavern knew Jonathan, they also knew not to approach him without good cause. They were aware that he was typically a social recluse. He took their avoidance of his company as a compliment, because to him, it meant they knew he didn’t want to socialize. He was there to have a drink and think about his burdens. The noise, different from the solitary confinement of his manor, sometimes helped him think. He had come up with many solutions to different difficulties in that very seat of his favorite tavern. Shawn was not typically with him, but he was still thinking deeply on his situation.
“You are very serious, Jon,” Shawn said. “What is it you are thinking?”
Suddenly deciding to keep the information in his mind to himself, he answered, “Sir Gadfry, my solicitor, should be here in a few moments. I made arrangements with him last week so that we can discuss my financial situation.”
“Do you need privacy?”
Jon chuckled. “From the Duke of Fairbanks? Hardly.”
“Do you often think of your cousin Shawn in such a distant manner?” Shawn looked hurt for a moment. “And I was thinking that perhaps we were closer than that.”
Jon’s chuckle turned into laughter. “My cousin, you know much better. I only meant that if anything, the Duke of Fairbanks is a trustworthy bloke and I would not hide anything from him…that is, you, your grace.” Jonathan set his glass down and bowed over the table slightly.
“You must stop.” Shawn laughed. “Are you having trouble with your finances, Jon? You did not mention it last night.”
“We are about to find out.” Jon’s eyes moved over Shawn’s shoulder and focused behind him.
He held out his hand and Shawn turned slightly to see a tall, portly man approaching. His round face sported a small mustache with the sides turned up into small circles and chin hair that looked surprisingly soft. He had a large grin on his face. William was a favorite to the Queen’s family. Jonathan was lucky to have him. Shawn also stood, catching Sir Gadfry’s eyes.
“Your Grace! It is good to see you, my lord. How are you on this fine day?” Sir Gadfry addressed Shawn first, bowing slightly.
“I am well, Sir Gadfry, thank you for asking.” Shawn turned to Jon. “Sir Gadfry’s family is related to my mother’s sister, who is cousin to the Prince Regent. We know of him and his family and always highly recommend them.”
“That is good to know.” Jon nodded approvingly. “I made a good choice then.”
Sir Gadfry turned to him. “Thank you, my lord. May I join you?”
“Of course. You must, yes.”
“Would you like another drink, milord?” A serving girl passed, giving Jonathan a wide smile. She was a pretty little thing. Sometimes he flirted with her. However, she knew her place and accepted his flirtation with a giggle and a grin.
“No, thank you, Mary.” He shook his head. If he had another drink, it might be too much. He’d had enough of being drunk the night before to last him nearly a lifetime. Or at least the next week or so, he thought, amused.
Mary continued.
Shawn and Jonathan sat back down, Sir Gadfry following suit. Shawn lost interest in their conversation as soon as the solicitor pulled out a stack of papers. He saw the look of dismay on Jonathan’s face and decided it was not his business to listen to what was troubling his young cousin.
He looked around, slightly amused that no one seemed to recognize him. He tried to think back to the last time he’d made a change to his appearance, such as trying a new hair style or growing a beard and mustache, which he currently did not have. He couldn’t remember and didn’t remember ever having been in this particular tavern before.
He narrowed his eyes, spying the inscrutable Stephen Dunning sitting on one of the high-backed, velvet-cushioned chairs near the opposing wall. He scanned the tables around the y
oung man, wondering if he should confront Stephen with his distaste or just let it be. After all, he couldn’t personally know and like every single person in Fairbanks, whether he was lord of the land or not.
He excused himself from Jonathan and Sir Gadfry. Both men just nodded. He backed up and turned, moving closer to a group of laughing, talking lords and ladies nearby. He skirted around them, giving them a smile and a nod, which was returned by the two who were looking at him as he passed. Again, he felt surprise that no one recognized him. Had it been that long since he’d been in this particular town?
Disappointed in himself, he continued moving around the room for a place near enough to Lord Dunning without being seen by the young lord.
Load-bearing pillars were placed strategically around the room. He was grateful to see one on both sides of Stephen. He moved quickly, walking behind other patrons of the tavern so that he could place himself at an angle behind the pillar and out of Stephen’s eyesight. He could hear the loud, whining pitch of the young man’s voice. He was surprised that Stephen felt comfortable complaining so loudly. Jonathan wondered if he even realized how petty and childish he was being.
“It’s rightfully my money, you know,” he was saying to his companion, a tall, thin youth some years younger than Stephen. “I am the eldest. I am older than she is. The money should come to me.”
“You weren’t the Earl’s son though, Stephen. By law, inheritance can only go to those who are blood related. It was good of the Earl to adopt you as it was.”
“I’m close enough! I am his…his cousins were my parents. That means we have the same bloodline.”
“It isn’t the same. But why are you worried about it anyway? You still live in the manor, you still retain the title of Lord, even though it was given to you by proxy. Lady Anna would not make you leave.”
Regency Romance: More For A Duke (The Fairbanks Series - The Familial Adventures) (CLEAN Historical Romance) Page 9
