Christian froze at the sound of the low voice behind him. Nicholas Sinclair.
‘You know better,’ he murmured back without turning round. ‘But I could shout my innocence to the bloody world for all the good it would do.’
‘Step away from the railing,’ the first lieutenant went on levelly. Christian looked back over his shoulder. In the dim light, he could see the pistol Sinclair was pointing at his back.
‘There’s only the slightest chance I’ll make it to Crete. We both know that,’ the Second Lieutenant bit out, a sudden fury at his position gripping him. ‘For the sake of what friendship we had, let me go …Sir.’ He spat out the finalSirand Sinclair raised his pistol, his own anger momentarily getting the better of him.
The two men watched each other silently, warily. Then the First Lieutenant closed his eyes briefly, his next words coming out in a strained whisper. ‘If you’re going to jump, for pity’s sake, do it now.’
∞∞∞
Present day
It had been decided-mostly on Grace’s insistence-that the discussion with the Earl of Cottesmore would take place in the presence of herself, Chastity and their father. While Nicholas had balked at first, his wife refused to be moved.
‘Chastity has a right to know who and what this man is, should he agree to offer for her,’ she’d declared, ‘and as for me, I simply couldn’t countenance not knowing first-hand what my sister could be letting herself in for.’ She’d paused before adding, ‘And I am certain my father feels the same way.’ Her husband had raised his eyebrows indicating his doubt concerning the Reverend’s enthusiasm for tackling the Earl, but he’d not argued, merely requested he be given a few minutes alone with Stanhope to explain the situation before Augustus Shackleford arrived to put his two pennies’ worth in.
A half an hour before the appointed time, Chastity sat in the small drawing room nervously twisting her hands as she listened to Grace telling Felicity what had transpired.
‘Goodness,’ was the matron’s mild comment when the Duchess had finished. ‘I shall endeavour not to stay away quite so long next time.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ breathed Chastity.
‘Oh you don’t need to apologise to me,’ Felicity Beaumont chuckled. ‘I can honestly say, hand on heart, that the Shackleford family has without doubt provided the most stimulating experiences of my life.’ She turned to Grace. ‘So, this Earl of Cottesmore. Is he a total rogue as his grace believes?’
‘In truth, I’m not sure. It’s unlike Nicholas to be so intractable, which leads me to believe there is more to their past than he has admitted to.’
‘And you, my dear,’ Felicity murmured to Chastity. ‘What is your opinion of Christian Stanhope–putting aside the fact that he apparently has the face of a fallen angel?’
Chastity bit her lip. Should she confess her actions of the last evening? Admit that she had not only met with Lord Cottesmore, but also his daughter? In truth, she hated lying. She’d never been very good at it. Not like Tempy and Prudence. She opened her mouth to reveal her imprudent actions, when Felicity added, ‘Though I would imagine you know very little about him given that you only met him the once.’ She gave a low chuckle. ‘Indeed, we must be grateful your behaviour has not yet rivalled that of Temperance and Patience at their worst.’
Feeling suddenly sick, Chastity swallowed. At length, she finally managed, ‘You are right, Miss Beaumont. I have not had occasion to spend much time with the Earl. Yet despite our brief acquaintance, I do feel most strongly that he is innocent of the crime he’s been accused of.’
‘And are you willing to gamble your safety on that belief?’ Felicity questioned gently.
Chastity nodded, just as the doorbell rang.
‘Well, proof of the pudding…,’ Miss Beaumont concluded, drinking the last of her tea. ‘I will leave you to your… negotiations, though in truth, I would love to be a fly on the wall.’ She sighed and shook her head. ‘As you can see, my tendencies towards inquisitiveness have increased. I think it must be my age.’ Getting to her feet, she gave a warm smile to Chastity. ‘Try not to worry, dearest. All will be well. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will go to see to my unpacking.’
Shaking out her skirts, the matron made her way to the door, where she paused, throwing drily over her shoulder, ‘Though I expect a full accounting at dinner.’
Chapter Eleven
Christian Stanhope had no idea what to expect on entering the Duke of Blackmore’s study. He hadn’t seen Nicholas Sinclair for seventeen years. Since returning to London, he’d had occasion to observe his former First Lieutenant from a distance, but close to, he was surprised at how little the Duke had changed.
After being shown into the room by a butler who looked as though he must be nearing ninety, the two men had stared at each other for a few seconds before Christian executed a formal bow, murmuring, ‘Thank you for agreeing to see me, your grace.’ Nicholas’s aloof expression did not change, and neither did he rise from behind his desk. That said, his nod and invitation to sit down was not entirely hostile.Score one for me, the Earl thought as he took a seat facing the desk.
‘Before we discuss whatever it is you think we have to talk about,’ the Duke said steadily, ‘there is another matter of which you should be aware.’ He paused, clearly searching for the right words. Christian, knowing exactly what the Duke intended to say, almost felt sympathy for him. Almost.
‘You may recall that when you attended our New Year’s Eve ball in this house, you happened to dance with my sister-in-law,’ he said carefully at length.
‘How could I forget?’ Christian responded smoothly. ‘Especially as it was the first time I have been asked to dance by a beautiful woman.’
Nicholas narrowed his eyes. ‘If you are aware of what I am about to say, then I would ask that you confess it.’
Christian sighed, his desire to bait the Duke disappearing as quickly as it arrived. ‘I am assuming Miss Shackleford has been accused of risqué behaviour by those detestable tabbies who were hanging on her every word,’ he commented, ‘but I can assure you it was not my intention to compromise her.’
‘No,’ Nicholas grimaced, ‘she did that all on her own.’ The Duke’s dry comment was so much like the old Nick that Christian had to swallow an unexpected lump in his throat.
