Rothgar, however, had chosen not to use it solely for his own purposes. He had decided that the business of the marquessate would provide employment for all the Malloren men, and all would receive a handsome income from it.
He’d devised matters according to their talents. Bryght had been introduced to the delights of finance and investment. Brand, whose tastes were more practical, was in charge of the twenty or more estates that made up the marquessate. Cyn, the youngest, had been destined for the law.
Cyn, however, had rejected the plan and joined the army. Rothgar’s one failure, and it had taught him something about people, thank God—that they could not always be shaped to his will.
Cyn had taken his portion from his mother but refused all further financial help. Even so, his part of the family profits was put aside for him. If he never touched it, it would go one day to his children.
Hilda and Elf also received small incomes.
Bryght found the arrangement agreeable on the whole, but he didn’t like to feel that he was Rothgar’s pensioner. It was his own damn fault that he did not have the ready funds to buy Candleford and he would have to live with it. He could hardly expect all his dreams to come true. To have Portia as his wife would be enough.
Bryght went up to his room to change for his appointment with Trelyn. He might as well do the thing with full honors. As his valet powdered him, he pondered an additional problem presented by the current situation.
As Portia’s representative, Trelyn might feel entitled to enquire about Bryght’s financial standing. Since it was a marriage of compulsion, Bryght decided, Trelyn wouldn’t be able to insist. Bryght could agree to a respectable settlement for Portia, and that would have to satisfy everyone.
When Bryght presented himself at Trelyn House in full elegance of silk and powder it went much as he had expected. Once Trelyn realized he would not be allowed to pore over Bryght’s circumstances, they settled the matter quickly enough.
When all was arranged, Trelyn offered claret and Bryght felt obliged to take it. He had nothing against Nerissa’s husband except the man’s patent antipathy to himself.
The earl raised his glass. “You have my congratulations, Malloren. Miss St. Claire is in most respects an admirable and sensible woman.”
Bryght reflected that a sensible woman would not get herself into such predicaments, but merely said, “I think so.”
Trelyn cleared his throat. “I…er…I do hope you intend well by her.”
Bryght raised a brow. The dull stick was genuinely concerned. He was devilish anxious to see this match made—and Bryght could guess why, the poor fool—but his conscience was pricking him. “Why would I not?” asked Bryght blandly.
“Well, there is an…er…element of compulsion….”
“But I am delighted to marry Miss St. Claire.”
Trelyn stared at him with a slight frown, clearly not believing a word of it.
“Or do you mean Miss St. Claire is under some compulsion?”
The touch of color in Trelyn’s cheeks was answer enough.
Bryght said, “I must be assured that the lady is willing.”
“Willing? Of course she’s willing. She showed her partiality by her behavior, and why would a simple country miss not be delighted to marry so high?”
“Why indeed? The simplest way to ease my concern is for me to speak with Miss St. Claire.”
They looked at one another for long moments, Bryght pleasantly implacable, Trelyn angry, but then the earl rose. “I will see to it.”
Bryght looked thoughtfully at the door which the earl had closed behind himself. The fact that he had not simply summoned a footman was very revealing. What the devil was going on?
He was tempted to follow, to search the house until he found Portia and could be sure she was safe, but he assumed Trelyn would have to produce her. Then they’d have truth.
He sipped the excellent claret and reflected upon the fact that his beloved was probably not the least willing to marry him. Never mind. He did not dare let her escape this net.
Once they were wed he would prove to her that he was not such a bad bargain. And soon she would be able to judge by his actions.
A word with Heatherington had diminished the danger from that quarter, though Heather was not easily controlled. He would not make trouble, however, unless Portia exposed his relationship with Nerissa.
As for money, after a couple of nights at the tables, Bryght hoped to be able to assure Portia that her home was safe. Quite apart from covering Upcott’s debt, he had a strong desire to pluck Prestonly to the skin.
He would get rid of Cuthbertson.
