“Then lease it,” Ian said. “Plowman makes some money from the deal, and you get the use of it. A simple business arrangement, and if things change and the marriage comes off later, the original dowry contract will apply.”
“That all sounds very rational,” Sydney said ruefully, “but what my father really wants is to have that piece of land back as part of the Davenport estate, as it once was. It is contiguous with our land, but it was sold some years ago when there was a pressing need for capital.”
“To pay my debts,” the elder Mr Davenport said. “I got into difficulties when I was barely of age… some gaming debts, a great foolishness, and my father was obliged to sell several pieces of land to pay for it. I swore that I would recover all of it, and I have, except for this one piece. I should very much like to complete this last duty before I die.”
“Have you thought of borrowing the money to buy it outright?”
“We have,” Sydney said, “but banks require some surety to set against the loan, which would mean a mortgage.”
“Then a loan from a friend,” Ian said. “Would that be acceptable to you? No mortgage, no interest, simply repay it as and when you can. An agreement between gentlemen.”
“And who’d be friend enough to do that?” Plowman said.
“I would,” Ian said.
***
When he went through to the saloon to join the ladies, Ian saw that Sophie Hearle was sitting a little apart from the others, watching the doors anxiously. When she saw him, her expression lightened and she waved him over.
“How may I be of service, Mrs Hearle?”
“Lord Farramont, I owe you an apology. Will you sit down? I am sure you must have realised that I was less than honest with you earlier.” She spoke in a low voice, too low to carry far with the rising level of chatter in the room. “I am sorry for it, but there are reasons… compelling reasons why I did not wish to talk openly then. I have told Izzy the truth, however, and I shall now tell you, but I should not like this to spread further. It might put… someone I care about at risk.”
“If you honour me with your confidences, Mrs Hearle, you may be sure your secrets will go no further.”
She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “You were quite correct to suspect that my brother accompanied us on our wanderings. I imagine you saw the registers at the inns we stayed at… or the hotel in Scarborough. He signed under his own name. He was staying with me in Durham, recovering from the illness that had afflicted him on his journey from India, when Izzy came to see me. When she proposed that I accompany her on her travels and I told her about Olly, she was happy to include him, too, and it has been wonderful for him — good food and nothing to worry him has brought him on wonderfully. But when we realised that Izzy was bound for Harringdon…”
She paused, suddenly looking anxious.
“Your brother is not here,” Ian said gently. “In fact, the Davenports know nothing of his whereabouts.”
“No. It is better so.”
“But this Barty person—”
She smiled suddenly. “A good friend — the best of friends, for he brought Olly home from India, and looked after him when he was ill. When we left with Izzy, Barty followed us. But let me tell you the whole story.”
Ian listened in silence. Some of the company had begun a noisy round game, so there was no danger that they would be overheard, but even so, Mrs Hearle’s eyes darted about,constantly on the watch for anyone approaching. If anyone came near, she would switch immediately to some neutral topic of conversation, only resuming when it was impossible for them to be overheard.
He made no comment, merely listening, for it seemed to him that perhaps she exaggerated the danger, as some females were wont to do. No doubt when her brother came of age, the lawyers would settle the question of ownership of Bayton House very swiftly, and all her fears would prove to be groundless. In the meantime, the secrecy would do no harm.
By the time she had related all the details of the case, the hour was well advanced, and many of the company were retreating to find their beds. Sophie went, too, and Davenport joined Ian in his quiet corner of the saloon, armed with the brandy decanter and a couple of glasses. Only Lord Foskett, Sir Hannibal Shrubb and a couple of the Davenport cousins still lingered at the other end of the room, hunched over the card table.
“I cannot thank you enough for stepping in like that at dinner,” Davenport said. “Are you sure… I do not wish to insult you, Farramont, but you must have expenses enough of your own, without tossing out large sums to all and sundry.”
“You are not precisely all and sundry, my friend, and I can afford it well enough.”
“Then it is as well you married Izzy rather than me, for I could never have afforded an extravagant wife.”
Ian’s eyebrows rose a little. “Extravagant? I would not have described her so.”
“No? All those expensive gowns? And her jewels, Farramont! She must have cost you a fortune in jewels.”
Ian smiled. “A few baubles is a small price to pay for the privilege of sharing my life with her. As for clothes, she has her pin money for that and she never exceeds it.”
“Do you truly think she has gone to Strathinver… to Kiltarlity? We all supposed she would go to Lochmaben. Her mother is there, after all.”
“I have been following her for several weeks now, and she went straight to Marsden as soon as he returned to Marsden Hall, and then here. Having quarrelled with both Marsden and you, I cannot imagine where else she would go next except to Osborn… or the Earl of Kiltarlity, as he is now.”
