Chapter Seven
The library at Raith Manor was, unlike the rest of the house, a room almost fully furnished, with cases filled wall-to-wall with books, and a sturdy oak table that served for a desk. Two long windows let in plenty of light, and a cheerful fire burned in the grate, flanked by two large chairs, with seats and cushioned patches of leather at both head and arms.
In these, Raith and his lawyer had settled, once a quantity of papers had been read over and signed. Raith was conscious of an easing of his inner tension, not entirely due to the happy nature of the business that had brought Ottery. He poured them both Madeira and handed one of the glasses across. Then he stretched his booted legs out and crossed them at the ankles, sighing deeply.
“You must be relieved to have the business settled, my lord,” remarked Ottery, with the smile that always warmed his employer.
“It is so very much needed, Ottery, that I must say I am.”
“Do you really mean to use the substance of your means to bring the place about?”
“You are afraid that it may swallow the whole, I dare say? No, Ottery, I hope by good management to restore the estates into decent repair so that they may pay for themselves again. But I have warned everyone this will take time. We will only put the most urgent of requirements into immediate effect.”
“I am relieved to hear it, sir. What of Longridge? Do you wish me to look about for a new agent, as we discussed?”
Raith made a negative motion. “I am perfectly satisfied Longridge was not to blame for the deteriorations. Indeed, he is obviously delighted to be able to offer better prospects to my tenants. And they trust him, Ottery. I have heard over and again how he tried to halt the decline, or play off the income from those with less to lose against that missing from the poorer element.”
He was glad of Ottery’s approval. “That is good to hear, my lord.”
He was surprised then to see his lawyer drop his gaze to his glass, and turn it, looking at the ruby liquid within. What ailed him? This was unlike Ottery. Had he something on his mind? He was about to question it, when the lawyer forestalled him, looking up.
“What of your marriage, my lord?”
Raith felt a hollow enter his chest. “What of it?”
“Is it satisfactory?”
Eyeing him narrowly, Raith thought he detected a trifle of consciousness in his lawyer’s gaze. He recalled that Rosina had been speaking to him before he arrived. He had known Ottery was coming today, for he’d had his letter yesterday. But she had not known. Raith sat up sharply. “What has she said to you?”
Ottery’s eyebrows rose. “Lady Raith, my lord?”
“Who else? Come, Ottery, l am no fool. My wife is apt to blurt out anything that is in her head and then be sorry for it. She is not, I know well, in good spirits, and you caught her unawares.”
To his consternation, his lawyer gave him a look of rare severity. “Why is she not in good spirits, my lord?”
Raith set down his glass and jerked to his feet, pacing away a little, the unruly beat of his pulse overloud in his own ears. He halted, turning to face Ottery. “Why ask me? It is my fault. You’ve guessed that much.”
“Then why will you not mend it, sir?”
Before this one true friend, Raith could throw off the burden of concealment he had put upon himself in the presence of his wife. “Would that I knew how, Ottery! Or whether indeed I should.” He came back and re-seated himself, sighing deeply as he took up his glass again. “My friend, have I made the most terrible mistake?”
The lawyer looked deeply concerned. “I warned you against a too-hasty decision, my lord. You will recollect that you were adamant. If it is a mistake, you can only now rectify it by pursuing your course. As for Miss Charlton — or rather, Lady Raith — I fear her interests are not being served as perhaps they might.”
Raith eyed him. “Your meaning?”
Ottery folded his lips for a moment. “I would not wish to presume upon my position, my lord.”
“By thunder, Ottery, don’t do that! You know how I value both your advice and your friendship. I do not forget what I owe you. Say what you wish to me, but be plain, I beg of you.”
The lawyer set down his glass. “Has she deserved of you such coldness? She does not know, I presume, that you chose her. Above any other.”
“Do you blame me? Only think what the others were like.”
“My lord, you did not select Miss Charlton merely because she was a cut above the rest.”
The lawyer’s tone was gentle and a bitter laugh escaped Raith.
“You see too much, my friend.”
