Elliot put the basin down on a sideboard, having the good grace to look chagrined at his words.
“Only that Seth is fond of his recreations. I think the lady in each case expected less time to be spent at the club. But then, that is a gentleman’s prerogative, is it not?”
Seth rose and began to strip off his waistcoat and shirt before dipping his hands into the cold water in the basin.
“Precisely. No one would expect a man with my reputation to swap club for chapel and country house instantly because he is betrothed. Do you, Mr. Monkton?”
He dipped his head into the basin, gasping from the cold. He whipped his blonde hair back from his face, peeking over his shoulder at Monkton.
“Of course not. I cannot take action because your betrothed objected to time spent at your club. Only if there is evidence of a lack of fidelity on your part...” Monkton added.
“Lack of fidelity?” Seth barked. “You refer to my reputation as a rake? I can assure you it extends to my drink capacity and love of a game of chance. Find me a single woman who will attest to being my lover. Elliot, do you know of any?”
Elliot shrugged with his hands raised. “I cannot, I have to say.”
“Nor can I. And I have tried,” Monkton stated, his voice suddenly icy.
His dark eyes met Seth’s and held them.
He knows my plan or suspects it. But can he prove it? That is the question. Prove that I deliberately drove Sarah and Catherine away to escape the marriage clause.
“It seems you are unlucky in love, Your Grace,” Monkton said, “or lucky, depending on your perspective.”
“Lucky? I was extremely fond of both women and was coldly rejected by both. I hardly think that qualifies as luck,” Seth replied.
“Except that being rejected by all three women specified as potential wives approved by your late father allows you to escape the marriage clause in his will. The title and estates then become yours fully. This would not be the case if it was found that you had sabotaged those betrothals. Then the estates would revert to the next male heir,” Monkton said with a supercilious smile.
Seth used his shirt to dry his face, regarding Monkton curiously.
“I did not realise there was another heir. Have you found one besides myself?” he asked.
“I have,” Monkton said with definite satisfaction.
“Well, well. You have family after all, Seth,” Elliot chuckled, “who is he, Mr. Monkton?”
“I am curious myself. I have no brothers, and neither did my father,” Seth murmured.
“But your grandfather did. Your father had an uncle, and the heir has been found on his side of the family,” Monkton replied.
“Iam the heir,” Seth retorted.
“Unless you break the marriage clause of your father’s will, which I am duty-bound to enforce. As you have been reluctant to reply to correspondence from my office, I have been forced to seek you out in order to relay this information in person.”
“Who is this usurper who would claim my birthright?” Seth demanded, suddenly cold inside.
“I am not at liberty to say. Suffice it to say that he has been informed of the clause and of the position he holds should the conditions of the clause not be met. There, I have discharged my duty.”
He smiled unctuously, rubbing his long-fingered hands together as though to warm them.
“You have, and I have an engagement with my dear betrothed,” Seth said faintly.
Suddenly, the game I have been playing has become deadly serious. I must not be caught out, or I will be unable to afford even this garret. Damn the old devil. All I’ve ever wanted is my freedom. Now, he seeks to control me from the grave as he controlled me in life.
“I wish you the best of luck in this last betrothal, Your Grace. I shall be watching closely,” Monkton remarked. “And I will not detain you from your dear fiancée any longer. Good morning to you both.”
He took his leave with a bow. Elliot watched him go with astonishment.
“I say, old man, but that’s a rum chap. Imagine speaking to one’s employer in such a way!”
