“Let His Grace handle the situation.”
Charles nodded. “That’s all I can do for the moment.”
“That’s right.”
“Very well. Tell him I’ll be waiting on him.”
“I’m coming with you,” Frazier replied.
Charles began walking. “Come on. We need to hurry. Those clouds look as though they’re going to part at any time.”
The valet peered up at the darkening sky. “We do indeed.”
Without further word, the pair walked as fast as they could. By the time they made it to the house, a rumble of thunder sounded followed by a flash of lightning. The rain came down hard.
He followed Frazier into the kitchen and requested a pot of tea. It always brought a smile to his face to see the look on the kitchen staff’s faces when he came into the busy room. Charles saw no reason not to. After all, he had very little memory of living here and had always had access to anywhere he wanted to explore.
Once in his sitting room, he sat close to the hearth to warm the chill as he waited for tea. Finally, he walked over to thewindows where the wind was blowing the rain sideways and the lightning frequently lit up the sky.
Frazier walked in with a footman carrying a tray filled with not only a pot of tea but sweets and sandwiches to hold him over until dinner. He followed them to a large table and waited. Pouring a cup of tea, he took a plate of egg sandwiches and a slice of cake covered with cream and strawberries. He found a comfortable chair and set everything on a table in front of him. The cake was rich and the tea strong.
“I’ll leave you, milord.”
“Very good. Tell me something, Frazier. How does Lady Agnes think she can accuse me of anything, or demanding right be made? She’s not a man and women have no authority in matters like this, do they?”
“She is the oldest and perhaps her father left her in charge of her two sisters. There may not be a male relative. Or at least one close by. I’m sure His Grace will know the answer.”
“I’m sure he will. It just struck me as odd that Lady Anges would be so bold. But you’re right, there may not be a male relative.”
Another crack of thunder caused even Charles to jump, and when he turned in Frazier’s direction, the valet had disappeared into thin air. Just like he always did. He took a sip of tea. Deciding it was still too hot, he set it down on the table.
*
“Charles. Charles. Wakeup.” A hand on his shoulder shook him lightly.
It was a familiar voice. Slowly he opened his eyes to find Arthur standing next to him. Charles sat up straighter and gazed at his brother.
“What is it?”
“We need to talk,” Arthur replied. He sat down in the chair next to his.
“We do? What about?” Charles picked up his tea, but it had cooled so he returned it to the table.
Arching a brow, Arthur sat back. “I’m sure your valet has informed you something of Lady Agnes’s accusation.”
“He shared what he knew at the time. I find it odd that she would go so far as to accuse me of something I didn’t do when earlier in the day she wanted nothing to do with me. I was a monster in her eyes.”
“I thought the same thing,” Arthur replied.
“Tell me exactly what I’m being accused of and what she wants.”
“She’s claiming you ruined Lady Cathryn.”
“Ruined her? All I did was help her mount my horse.”
Arthur tapped the arm of the chair with one hand. “I believe you, but Lady Agnes is making the accusations on behalf of her sister.”
“Is that so? I wonder.”
