A sudden whine at their feet stopped both men in their tracks. Reverend Shackleford found his ire draining away. ‘Freddy needs to do his business, and I need some air,’ he muttered, climbing to his feet. ‘Start packing, Percy. If Nicholas can spare us a carriage, I want to be on the road at first light tomorrow. I’ll tell Agnes and the youngens. Come along, Freddy.’
And with that, the Reverend left the room–just as the first flakes of snow began drifting against the window.
∞∞∞
‘He’s inherited Cottesmore,’ Malcolm announced as he strode into the Duke of Blackmore’s study.
‘The fire,’ grimaced Nicholas. ‘I’d heard there were no survivors.’ He shook his head grimly and put down his pen. ‘Very bad business. I understand very little of the house remains.’
Malcolm nodded, throwing himself into a chair. ‘Apparently, Christian was the Earl’s fourth cousin and only surviving member of the family.’
‘And so he’s come crawling back out of the woodwork.’ Nicholas grated. ‘He must know his past will catch up with him.’
‘Aye, but only if someone decides to cry rope on the lad,’ Malcolm shrugged. ‘According to my sources, there wasn’t much left in the Cottesmore coffers,’ the Scot commented. ‘Apparently, it was common knowledge the old Earl was almost cleaned out.’
‘I’d have thought you of all people wouldn’t put much credence in gossip,’ chided the Duke drily.
‘But if itistrue, then why would Stanhope come all this way to claim a title that’s mostly burnt rubble, only to risk being snubbed by his peers should his shady past catch up with him?’ Malcolm countered.
‘The London townhouse must be worth something,’ Nicholas mused, ‘but I doubt it would cover the costs of rebuilding Cottesmore House. Is Stanhope currently residing there?’
The valet nodded. ‘It would seem so. He hasn’t been seen in public at all with the exception of your ball.’
‘And who the devil invited him to that?’ the Duke growled.
‘The invitation was likely intended for his predecessor.’ Malcolm shrugged. ‘Either that or he simply invited himself. By all accounts, Miss Chastity was the only person he conversed with throughout the whole evening. I think most people are not yet fully aware of his identity.’
‘And yet he wishes to speak with me,’ Nicholas frowned. ‘What in God’s name could he possibly think we have to say to each other?’
‘Perhaps he hopes you might be persuaded to pick up where you left off,’ Malcolm shrugged. ‘Since it was you who helped Stanhope escape the rope in the first place.’
‘On the condition I never saw him again,’ the Duke bit out. ‘Don’t remind me of my gullibility. All those years ago, I still had faith in human nature.’
‘Will you refuse to meet with him then?’ the valet asked.
Nicholas leaned back against his chair, his brow creased in thought. ‘I think it would be prudent of me to find out exactly what the bastard wants and to let him know that if he so much as looks at a member of my family again, I’ll string him up myself.’
∞∞∞
27 June 1798
‘It’s French, Captain. Sixth rate. She’s turning away.’
‘Can you read the name, Mr. Stanhope?’
‘Looks likeSensible, Sir.’
‘Then she’s come from Malta. Prepare for pursuit.’
‘Aye aye, Captain.’
‘This is the last thing we bloody well need. We’ll never find Nelson and the damn fleet at this rate.’ The words were muttered well out of the Captain’s hearing.
‘I’d have thought you’d jump at the chance to break a few Froggie heads, Barnet.’ Second Lieutenant Christian Stanhope eyed the Third Lieutenant knowingly.
‘We ain’t going to get any credit for trouncing another piddling French sixth-rater,’ scoffed his companion.
Stanhope didn’t answer, preoccupied with shouting commands to comply with the Captain’s orders. They watched as the ship slowly began to swing round until it was facing the same direction as the fleeingSensible.
