'I must speak to Lady Charlotte and then see how my poor dog is faring. I'll have to leave him here.'
He checked in his study before doing anything else. Sofia needed to know what was going on. She had Othello on the sofa, his head resting on her lap. She looked up and her smile reassured him.
'He's a lot better, my love, I think in truth he could get down but rather likes the fuss.'
'I've the most appalling information, I'm almost certain it's correct.' He pulled up a chair and sat next to her. Quickly he explained who he thought was behind the attack and why. He also told her what would be happening next.
'How could this cousin of yours know anything about me? Or that we plan to get married in a few weeks? The vicar was only here this morning.'
'We have a spy working here. As all the staff are new apart from the kitchen maids who Turnbull vouched for, I've no idea who it might be.'
'When are we to move to Bath? Are you not supposed to be going with Smithers to arrange for Lord Upminster's funeral? You can hardly do both.'
'I'll come with you, of course, and we'll be married as soon as we have the licence. Then the following day will be soon enough to go to Upminster Hall. My man of business can go tomorrow in my stead. I can't imagine that his remains are still above ground. It's just the legal ramifications that need to be sorted out.'
'We can't take this poor fellow with us, who will take care of him? He's not fit enough to go out into the kennels.'
'I'm going to speak to my sister now; I'll get my nephews to do it. Charlotte will be delighted to have charge of the house for a few weeks.' He leaned across and kissed her. 'I warn you that it'll be unbearably hot in the city in July. The white houses there reflect the sunlight which is why most sensible people relocate to their country estates.'
'If that's the case, James, won't it rouse the suspicions of those you're trying to keep in ignorance if we go somewhere everyone else is leaving?'
'God damn it! Yet again you've proved me wanting. I think nobody will be suspicious if we just go for a week in order for you to visit the warehouses and emporiums. You can remain there safely and I'll return for you as soon as I can.'
'I'm sorry to be the harbinger of bad news, dearest James, but I don't think Annabel will wish to come. The house she only just escaped from is also in the Royal Crescent.'
'Then we are at an impasse. What do you suggest?'
'I suggest that Annabel and my sisters remain here under the aegis of our aunt and just you and I go to Bath. That will be simpler to arrange and spending time alone will be beneficial for both of us.'
Smithers turned up to collect the information he needed and remove a bag of guineas from the safe. 'The post chaise will be waiting for me at the George and Dragon in the village. I should be there in twelve hours, so back, with any luck, by late tomorrow night.'
'Good man, Godspeed, tell no one your purpose.'
'I certainly won't. You can be assured, my lord, that I'll be travelling every minute and not taking my ease in a roadside inn.'
'Don't make yourself unwell on our account, Smithers, just get back safely,' James said.
*
Sofia kissed the dog, did the same to her future husband, shook out her skirts which were sadly crumpled and covered in blood and dog hair. She then hurried to the back stairs hoping that her sisters and Annabel would be in the sitting room so she could explain to them what was happening.
Then she reconsidered and went instead to speak to Aunt Jemima. She listened without comment, nodding a few times. 'So, Aunt Jemima, when we arrived here, we brought turmoil with us. Some might say that it was high time James took control of his household, rooted out those that were working against him, but I must own I feel guilty about destroying his peaceful existence.'
'Fiddlesticks to that, my girl, when this is settled both the earl and you will see that the demise of your father was ordained in order to reveal the treacherous nature of the other cousin.'
'I do think that fate, or the good Lord if that is who is behind all this, works in mysterious ways indeed. My father died a few weeks ago, Lord Upminster died a week ago, that is a coincidence in itself as it brought all of us here.'
'Don't look so sad, child, you're about to start on the most wonderful adventure. You've found the perfect partner – I never thought to see you fall in love with any gentleman and yet here you are besotted with him after just a few weeks. That's a miracle in itself.'
'Can I ask you to oversee the girls in my absence? I've no wish for Charlotte to take charge of them – I'm afraid I cannot like her. I don't think that James is overly impressed either.'
'There's little you can do about that, my dear, but fortunately this house is vast and she and her progeny can live quite happily without you ever having to interact with them unless you wish to.'
'James intends to move her into the East Wing with his grandmother. I think they deserve each other. As long as I don't have to see either of them, I don't care where they are.'
'Run along, child, you have to get your belongings packed. I wish I could be there to see you married but I'm hoping you'll have a service in the family chapel sometime in the future.'
'That's a wonderful idea; I'm sure James will want to have his marriage blessed here even if it takes place elsewhere.'
