‘Well, according to Felicity, poor old Josiah developed an ague, but before he died, he arranged for his daughter Julia to marry into an extremely influential family.’ She looked over at Jennifer. ‘Andthisfamily Ihaveheard of. At their head is Edward Linfield, the Earl of Ruteledge.’ She gave a shudder. ‘Odious old man. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him, and if Nicholas were here, he would almost certainly have more to say on the subject.’
‘So Julie married the Earl,’ Jennifer interrupted, eager to hear more. Grace shook her head.
‘She married his son, Roland.’ The Duchess put the letter down and wrinkled her brow in thought. ‘Thinking about it, I seem to remember the son actually died not long after the wedding and Julia less than a year later. It was all very sad. I had no idea her maiden name was Huxley.'
‘How on earth does Felicity know all these things?’ Jennifer wondered.
Grace chuckled. ‘She’s been around thetonfor a long time.’
They were interrupted by the housekeeper bringing in a tray of tea and homemade shortbread.
‘You’re spoiling us, Mrs. Tenner,’ Grace smiled. ‘Homemade biscuits and only an hour since breakfast. I am still fit to burst with Mrs. Higgins’ delicious honey cake.’
‘Speak for yourself, Mama,’ Jennifer grinned, helping herself. She took a bite and closed her eyes in bliss. ‘Still warm,’ she breathed. ‘Mrs. Higgins is truly a treasure.’
Mrs. Tenner gave a mock sigh. ‘I will not be passing on such comments to cook, your grace,’ she chuckled, ‘Mrs. Higgins has been barely tolerable since her cakes won first prize in the Totnes show.’ She winked at Jennifer as she gave a small curtsy. ‘Please ring if you wish for another pot.’
Grace watched her go fondly. ‘It was Mrs. Tenner and Mrs. Higgins that made my life bearable when I first became a duchess,’ she remembered.
‘What about Huntley? Jennifer queried. ‘He was here when Papa was a boy wasn’t he?’
Grace smiled. ‘Huntley was and is a rock. But he has always been first and foremost your father’s man. Even now, he would lay down his life if Nicholas should ask it of him.’
‘Well, given that he must be well past his seventieth year, there might not be any asking involved,’ Jennifer quipped, her chuckle tinged with sadness. The young woman paused, before adding, ‘Surely Papa wasn’t so awful when you first wed.’
‘Beyond awful,’ her mother commented cheerfully, giving in and taking a biscuit. ‘He was completely and utterly insufferable.’
Jennifer laughed. They’d had this conversation many times, and her father always acquiesced to her mother’s point of view. The Duke might have started their marriage on the wrong foot, but he was clearly a very quick learner.
‘So what have we learned about the Huxleys and George so far?’ Jennifer quizzed, pouring them both some tea.
‘Nothing about Georgiana,’ conceded Grace, taking a sip of her tea. ‘And as far as we’re aware, the Huxley family died out with Julia.’
‘Could it be the Earl of Ruteledge searching for her then?’ Jennifer questioned.
‘The chances are, George is someone’s by blow,’ Grace mused thoughtfully. ‘The Earl must have already been past his prime when Roland married all those years ago, so I doubt she’s his get. But I suppose she could have been his son Roland’s.’
‘How long ago did he die?’ Jennifer asked. Her mother frowned, then shrugged.
‘It must have been about eighteen years ago, I suppose. So if GeorgeisRoland Linfield’s daughter, she’d have to have been conceived very close to his death.’
‘Well, she obviously wasn’t born to Julia. I can’t imagine why the Earl would have wanted to rid himself of a legitimate granddaughter.’ Jennifer paused, then added, ‘The man Grandfather spoke to in the Red Lion looked as though he was flush in the pockets…’
‘…I doubt very much he was the Earl himself,’ Grace interrupted. ‘A man such as Ruteledge would be highly unlikely to get his hands dirty, and I didn’t get the impression that the man Father spoke with was in his dotage.’
‘Perhaps he’s a brother or cousin? A lesser member of the family?’
Grace tsked in irritation. ‘And he might just as easily have no connection at all to the Earl of Ruteledge. The only link we have is the name of Huxley. And now we’re simply clutching at straws.’ She pursed her lips. ‘I’m beginning to think I should ask your father to return here as soon as possible. I really think we need his help in solving this mystery.’
‘If we find this man, the chances are he’ll lead us to whoever is looking for George.’
‘Well, we’ll have to hope your grandfather discovers something without getting himself and poor old Percy completely in the suds.’
∞∞∞
George opened her eyes as a hand was laid gently on her shoulder. Turning over, she stared into the unreadable eyes of her employer. ‘The rain has stopped. I’m going down to harness Horatio,’ he murmured. Can you be ready in fifteen minutes?’ George nodded her head warily and watched as he turned swiftly and headed for the door, calling Nelson to him.
Watching them both leave, Georgiana found herself fighting back tears. Shutting her eyes tightly, she wondered what the bloody hell she was going to do now.
