“They are in Shropshire. Days away,” Bethany reminded him.
“They are the only ones who can help…keep confidence.”
“Are you certain you wish me to address the letter to Ellings?” Bethany asked.
“Yes. Write…tell what happened.” His eyelids were too heavy to keep open and Leopold let them close once more. “But do not send it until…”
Bethany looked at the back of the parchment once again. Ring stolen. Come immediately. Those words Claybrook had insisted be written next to the seal of the missive being sent to the Duke of Ellings. Claybrook wouldn’t explain why this was necessary, but perhaps he feared that Ellings wouldn’t open the missive if Claybrook’s signet hadn’t been pressed into the wax.
“See that this is placed in the hands of the Duke of Ellings the moment you arrive and make certain that he knows it is from the Duke of Claybrook,” Bethany instructed.
Her driver took the letter and then left. Except, he was going to travel to Shropshire on horseback as it would be quicker than taking the carriage.
A second letter had been written per Claybrook’s dictation advising his family that he had been delayed and still hoped to join them but would not be able to do so for at least a sennight.
They had discussed the option of sending for his siblings, which would free Bethany, but Claybrook feared his younger brother or sisters might accidently slip and mention how she had remained caring for Claybrook without a chaperone watching on.
That left only one problem. “My family might recognize my footmen. If I send one of them, they may assume that I am with you.”
“Not if he claims that you sacked him, and he was then hired by me,” Claybrook suggested.
“I am not going to ask Jason or Henry to lie,” Bethany insisted. The two stood just inside the door awaiting instructions.
“Then sack one of them,” Leopold offered nonchalantly, as if their livelihood was of no concern to him. It was probably because Claybrook was a duke. Why should he care about anyone so far beneath him?
Jason and Henry straightened and shared a look of fear.
“I will not,” Bethany insisted. “We will find someone not known to us to deliver the missive.”
Claybrook lifted his eyebrows, winced, and relaxed his face. “Whoever you sack I will hire immediately.”
The two footmen relaxed.
“That way nobody is lying or being lied to.”
Bethany would much rather send a trusted servant than a stranger…
With a sigh she looked at the footmen. “Jason, I am sorry, but you are no longer needed in my employ.”
His eyes widened. Certainly, he wasn’t truly afraid that he was being let go. He had listened to the conversation.
“Therefore, I shall hire you,” Leopold said. “Such heartless employers, letting servants go and this close to Christmas. It really is a shame.”
Bethany narrowed her eyes. “This is a temporary situation,” she reminded him. “If my parents inquire, tell them that I sacked you and that Claybrook was kind enough to give you a position. Just do not provide them with any details of how it came about, or you will be out of a position.” Luckily neither were dressed in the uniform they wore while working at the club, but he wasn’t in Claybrook’s livery either. Hopefully it would not be noticed.
Jason gulped and lost some of his color. “If they ask, I will tell them I would rather not discuss the matter,” the footmen answered.
“Very good,” Leopold said. “You will do well in my employ.”
Bethany turned on him. “He will return to employment with me,” she insisted.
“You sacked him. I may want to keep him.”
She stared down Claybrook and clenched her jaw then noted that the footman still stood by the door, his eyes shifting between the two. “You may go and deliver the message from His Grace.”
“He is my footman.” Claybrook looked to the lad. “You may leave and please see that the message is delivered to my sister.”
Chapter Five
