by Aston, Alexa
“And?”
“Have you looked at them?”
“Briefly. I’ve had others things demand my time.” Gray frowned. “Miss Nott alluded to something she’d found within them and now I feel you’re doing the same. What do I need to know, Mr. Linfield? You can be blunt.”
“That Mr. March, during his seven years here, siphoned funds from various accounts.”
Gray let the words hang a moment before he said, “You mean he stole from my brother.”
“Yes, sir. That’s exactly what I mean. The amounts were small each month but, over time, it added up to a goodly sum.”
He knew how careless Seymour had been regarding business. His brother had probably never looked at the ledgers or merely given them a cursory glance.
“What do you recommend, Mr. Linfield?”
“I have a tendency to agree with Miss Nott. She doubts Mr. March was going to a new position in Cornwall and that he has taken the money purged from the Crampton estate and disappeared, along with Mrs. Penney. It would be very hard to trace him, especially if he changed his name. Of course, you could always call in a Bow Street Runner, Mr. Grayson.”
Gray thought a moment. “Did the amount stolen cause tremendous damage to the estate?”
“No, sir. It was only a small portion each month. Of course, over numerous years, it became a substantial amount.”
“Since it didn’t impact the estate and the cost to find Mr. March might be excessive, I say we write this off to experience. I thank you for bringing this to my attention, Mr. Linfield. I appreciate your honesty.”
“You can depend upon me, Mr. Grayson. This is too great an opportunity for me, serving you and your family at Gray Manor. I will be meticulous in my work. Have no fear. I will never cheat you out of a single farthing.”
“I do trust you, Mr. Linfield. And Miss Nott. I feel Gray Manor is in good hands with you both.”
“Thank you, Mr. Grayson. I appreciate your confidence in me—and Miss Nott. She is a remarkable lady.”
Once again, that flare of jealousy shot through Gray. He knew he wasn’t the one for Charlotte but he hated the thought of another man touching her. Still, Mr. Linfield seemed of good character. If a relationship developed between the two, Gray would be happy for them.
And miserable for himself.
“If you’ll excuse me, Mr. Linfield, I have other matters to attend to.”
He didn’t but left his manager’s presence and the house. After being cooped up in the carriage all morning, he wanted to be out and about, exercising his legs. He also wanted to avoid the house because he didn’t want to run into Charlotte. He still didn’t know what he would say to her.
Rounding the corner from the stables, he halted in his tracks. It was almost as if he’d conjured her, for there she was, walking Jane about on a leading rein in the paddock. His younger niece sat straight in the saddle, looking as regal as any princess. Gray spied Harriet sitting on the fence, joy on her face as she shouted encouragement at her sister.
“That’s good, Jane. Keep it up. You’re doing splendid.”
He’d already been coward enough as it was. Steeling himself, Gray went and joined Harriet.
“Uncle Gray, you’re back!” she cried, her smile wide. “Miss Nott said you went to London.”
“Yes, I had business there.”
The eight-year-old studied him. “I like that you’re wearing better clothes,” she said, approval shining in her eyes. “I don’t like thinking of you at war.”
By now, Charlotte had led Jane in a circle and was headed back in their direction. Jane saw him and grinned. As she started to raise a hand to wave, he heard Charlotte warn her to keep both hands on the reins.
“You’re still a novice, Lady Jane. Don’t let your uncle distract you. Concentrate on your horse.”
They approached and Gray found his stomach fluttering as if an army of butterflies beat their wings against his sides. It was part giddiness and part nausea, as if he were some schoolboy spying his crush.
That’s when he knew for certain as he looked at Charlotte that he loved her.
Physically, he was attracted to her. What man wouldn’t be? With her great beauty, she would have had to fight off suitors if she’d been a member of the ton. Instead of being a governess on the shelf at twenty-six, she would have had her choice of suitors years ago if she’d made her come-out in London society.
But it was more than Charlotte’s looks that made him love her. It was her warmth and sweet spirit. Her intelligence and curiosity. The way she managed everything effortlessly. How she loved the children.
She stopped a few feet from him and he slid off the fence.
“Hello, Jane,” he called. “And good afternoon, Miss Nott.”
He didn’t look at her and instead went to Jane and helped her from the saddle. She hugged him.
“I’m so glad you’re back, Uncle Gray. I made three drawings for you.”
“You did? Then I cannot wait to see them.”
“I can ride now. Miss Nott is teaching us.”
“My turn!” Harriet called out, climbing from the fence and rushing over.
Jane took his hand and a wave of happiness swept over Gray. He glanced down at their joined hands and back at his niece.
“Let’s go watch Harriet, Uncle.” She led him back to the fence.
He lifted her to it and then joined her as they watched Charlotte remind Harriet of their previous lesson by asking her several questions.
Gray leaned over to Jane. “Does she always quiz you?”
“Always. About everything. Miss Nott says that a person never stops learning. She says it’s good to say things aloud and also you should think about them. When I go to sleep at night, I see myself on the pony and I hear in my head what she’s told me to do. That’s how I fall asleep.”
“That must be a very nice way to fall asleep. Thinking about riding a horse.”
While he was kept up nights thinking about riding Charlotte Nott.
The governess took the leading rein in hand and allowed Harriet to circle the paddock several times. Gray saw the confidence and exuberance Harriet exhibited and decided she would make a fine rider.
The riding lesson came to an end and he again went and met the pair, removing Harriet from the saddle.
“Did you see me, Uncle Gray? I love riding. Miss Nott says that, tomorrow, we might be able to leave the paddock. Do you want to come along with us?”
“Oh, I’m sure your uncle will be busy attending to the estate, Lady Harriet,” Charlotte said.
“Isn’t that what Mr. Linfield was hired to do?” Harriet asked pointedly.
“Your uncle has many responsibilities. They include supervising Mr. Linfield and many others. You can’t expect him to join us, my lady.”
“On the contrary, Miss Nott, I believe I can work a short ride into my busy schedule,” Gray replied.
Harriet and Jane began jumping up and down gleefully, clapping their hands.
“Settle down,” the governess said sternly and both girls froze. “We need to take Dandy inside and give both him and Daffodil their treats. Mr. Sable has the apples you brought.”
“May I lead Dandy to the stables?” Harriet begged.
“You may. Don’t run. Walk at a steady rate.”
“I’ll help,” Jane insisted and stood next to her sister as Charlotte passed the reins to Harriet.
The girls started up and Gray watched them a moment. “I don’t know what they were like before you came but I believe you’ve done a remarkable job with them, Charlotte.” He glanced at her in time to see her frown.
“Mr. Grayson, I prefer you address me as Miss Nott.” Her emerald eyes cut from him to watch the girls ahead and she began walking.
He fell into step with her. “I feel I know you better than others,” he said.
“Kissing me a few times does not give you the right to address me in such a manner,” she said, winter in her voice. “I have forgiven you for tak
ing those liberties but I must insist that we keep a proper distance between us from now on, Mr. Grayson. It’s for the best.”
His fingers caught her elbow, the contact sparking something between them. “I don’t mean to offend you. I thought when we were alone, though, that—”
“That’s where you’re mistaken,” she interrupted, jerking away from him. “There is no need for us to be alone. Ever.” She began briskly walking and he rushed to catch up to her.
“I know you’re unhappy with me, Charlotte,” he said and he caught her frown of disapproval. “I left without a word to you. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“And why not?” she boldly asked. “Why would you tell the family governess your personal plans? I neither expect nor want you to do so. I’ve told you, Mr. Grayson, that I’m very happy with my position at Gray Manor. I can’t . . .” Her voice broke and she cleared her throat and tried again. “I won’t do anything to jeopardize it.” She stopped and looked him in the eyes. “There can be nothing between us. No friendship. Or more. I hope we can be cordial in our dealings regarding the children but I must protect myself, Mr. Grayson.”
He saw a vulnerability in her for the first time and had a hint of what it must be like for her, at the mercy and whim of whatever her employer did or said.
“I understand, Miss Nott,” he told her. “However, I would like you to join me for dinner tonight.” Before she could protest, he added, “I have brought a Dr. Winston back from London with me. He’s spending all afternoon with my nephew and wants to discuss Rodger’s treatment at dinner tonight. Since you are involved in Rodger’s care, I would ask you be there to hear firsthand everything Dr. Winston says. You’ll have a chance to ask any questions of him, as well. Are you willing to do so?”
He saw her wavering and she finally said, “Yes. I will be there for dinner.”
“Thank you. I feel you’ll have a better understanding of what the man says and how to enact any treatment he suggests.”
By now, they’d reached the stables and he saw a groom had taken the pony in hand and Sable joined the girls, producing an apple for each of them.
“Remember how ye’re to offer the treat,” the groom reminded the girls. “Palm up, with the apple in the center.”
“Yes, Mr. Sable,” they said in unison.
The girls ran into the stables and Sable greeted them. “Good afternoon, Mr. Grayson, Miss Nott. Did the young ladies enjoy their lesson today?”
“They did, Mr. Sable,” Charlotte said warmly, all trace of coldness now gone from her voice. “We’ll need both Dandy and Daffodil saddled tomorrow afternoon. I’m going to allow the girls to leave the paddock.”
“Very good, Miss,” the groom said. “I’ll have the ponies and Moonbeam saddled for ye.”
“And Titan for me,” Gray added. “I’d like to see how my nieces do in the saddle on their first time out of the gate.”
“Certainly, Mr. Grayson.”
“Miss Nott, I will see you and Dr. Winston at dinner this evening,” he said. “Sable, I’d like a private word with you.”
“I’ll see to the girls,” Charlotte said and left them.
When she was out of earshot, Gray said, “I’m opening up the family townhome in London and plan to spend a majority of my year there. I’ll need someone to manage my stables. Would you be interested in coming to the city with me, Sable? You would be in charge of the grooms and any vehicles and the drivers.”
The servant beamed. “Yes, Mr. Grayson, I’d be right happy to come to London.”
“We’ll be going in a few weeks. You’ll be able to hire the necessary staff after we arrive. I’d also like your advice as I add to the stables. I’ll need horses to ride and others to pull the coach.”
“Any ponies, Mr. Grayson, or will the girls bring Daffodil and Dandy with them when they visit?”
“The children will remain at Gray Manor,” he said brusquely.
Sable looked surprised but nodded and glanced to the ground.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then, Sable,” Gray said and returned to the house, somehow sensing the groom didn’t approve of his future living arrangements. He didn’t care. The sooner he left the country—and the tempting Miss Nott—the better for all concerned.
Chapter Fifteen
Charlotte entered the dining room and saw both men had arrived ahead of her. She joined them where they were standing.
Gray said, “Miss Nott, may I present Dr. Winston? He is a renowned physician practicing in London and has come to give his opinion on my nephew’s case.”
They greeted one another. She was drawn to the newcomer’s kind eyes and thought the man to be about forty. His temples were graying and small bits of the gray peppered his dark hair, as well.
“I am glad you’ve come to give us advice on the earl’s health,” she said. ‘He’s a delightful boy. I hate seeing him suffer so.”
“I spent several hours with Lord Crampton this afternoon. I must say that he thinks the world of you, Miss Nott. He couldn’t say enough good things about you. Ordinarily, I would think it was because you were lax and children seem to think that a good thing, but on the contrary, he told me of your studies and how you’ve challenged him more than his teachers at Eton.”
“Lord Crampton is very fond of history. We are reading about the Peloponnesian Wars now, as well as translating some Homer.”
“Shall we sit?” Gray suggested and they moved to the table.
The first course arrived and it surprised her that they spoke of everything but Lord Crampton’s health, which Charlotte thought was the whole point of sharing the meal together. Dr. Winston had a younger brother who served in the army, as well as a fellow physician and friend who’d joined up, and the two men talked of the war and different battles that had occurred. It puzzled her until she realized just how dire Dr. Winston’s diagnosis must be. With two footmen in the room and the household already aware of the earl’s delicate health, Gray must be waiting until they were alone for Dr. Winston’s full report.
Dinner concluded and their host said, “Would you care to adjourn to the drawing room and continue our conversation?”
The physician readily agreed and Charlotte nodded her assent. The three left the dining room and Masters poured port for the men and a sherry for her before Gray dismissed the butler.
Once the door closed, he said, “Now that we have privacy, Dr. Winston, please share with us what you’ve discovered regarding my nephew’s case.”
The doctor cleared his throat. “Do you know much about asthma, Mr. Grayson?”
“Only that it involves coughing and wheezing. When my nephew was younger, it wasn’t as severe. Since I’ve returned from Spain, though, I’ve witnessed how difficult it is for him to breathe at times. Physical activity is beyond him. He hasn’t left his bedchamber since I’ve returned to Gray Manor.”
“Asthma involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes. A sticky secretion is produced within the tubes with people who have the disease. The airways can become inflamed and filled with mucus and even narrow in scope. That leads to the coughing, especially at night when prone.”
“I have the earl sleep with pillows propped beneath him,” Charlotte said. “He wheezes too much when lying flat.”
“That is a very good practice, Miss Nott, and it should be continued,” Dr. Winston said. “The same goes for you getting him from his bed and having him move about without exerting himself overmuch. Bedsores are nasty things and we don’t want him to develop any.”
“He also experiences a tightness in his chest, as if something heavy is pressing down upon it,” she added. “When that happens, it seems to frighten him more than anything. I know the fear makes it difficult for him to breathe.”
“Does he have any extended period without symptoms?” the doctor asked.
“No, he doesn’t,” she said regretfully. “The attacks occur on a daily basis. Some last only a few minutes, while others can drag on for several hours. Those are the tim
es I worry the most.”
“And you should. Especially if he experiences severe wheezing when breathing both in and out.”
Charlotte nodded. “That’s happened on a few occasions. The chest pressure bothers him more during those episodes and he has trouble stopping his cough. His breathing also becomes very rapid, as if he’s panicked.”
“Does his face become pale and sweaty?”
“Yes, Doctor. On a few occasions, his lips and fingernails even turned blue.” She remembered the first time she’d witnessed it and how frightened she’d been for the boy. “I’ve been told the local doctor used leeches to bleed him and Lord Crampton became much worse. I haven’t summoned him to Gray Manor since I’ve been here.”
“Good. I’m not one for using leeches with severe asthma. I know some of my colleagues believe strong coffee or smoking tobacco can help alleviate symptoms.”
Charlotte snorted. “I put a stop to those, as well, once I arrived. Lord Crampton was being given both. Orders again from our local doctor. I couldn’t see how giving either to a child would be beneficial.” She paused. “I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds.”
“Not if you are doing what’s best for the earl.”
“What course of action would you recommend in the future?” she asked. “I’m willing to help in any way I can.”
“We can try a daily teaspoon of mustard seeds. I have had limited success with that. I’ve also used small amounts of quicksilver or cinnabar, though that was only with adults. The earl is underweight for a boy his age. I would suggest a diet heavy in meat. Venison. Hare. Chicken. Some wine, in moderation. Recently, I have had some success adding small amounts of diluted nitro-muriatic acid to broth two to three times a day. Also, I think fresh air and sunlight would do Lord Crampton a world of good. If a servant could carry him down once a day for half an hour and let him sit in the sun while the weather is still good, it might help.”
Dr. Winston sighed and looked to Gray. “I must be frank, Mr. Grayson. These measures can only do so much. The earl’s health is very fragile. After speaking with Mrs. Minter about the frequency and severity of his attacks and now Miss Nott, I believe he might make a year at best.”
