Alano nodded, intent on rubbing the dark green bottle in his hands with a rag. “I’ll put it to rights, then. I’ll settle myself here. I find London to my liking.”
There was nothing more to be said. When Alano made a decision, it was rare that he changed his mind. Besides, he wasn’t an employee. Alano had his own fortune. One that, while not the equal of what Douglas had amassed, was certainly enough to enable him to live comfortably.
“You’re hiring staff, at least. What made you choose Paulson?”
Alano didn’t look happy about that question. “Stupidity,” he said. “A mistake on my part. Maybe something about him reminded me of you.”
He stared at Douglas, and the look reminded him of the first time he’d seen Alano. He’d been picking hispocket, and Alano had caught him at it, even though he considered himself an expert at the skill. Alano had only grabbed his wrist, twisted it behind his back, and proceeded to swear at him for a good fifteen minutes in Spanish. After that, he’d taken Douglas to a small establishment and fed him.
Alano placed another completed bottle on the barrel and turned to him. “If you’re certain you want to go through with this, lad, then I’m behind you. Let me give you a spot of advice, though.”
“As if I could stop you,” Douglas said, smiling.
Alano ignored him, and continued. “Tell this woman the truth about yourself, lad. Then you’ve nothing to fear.”
“And if she moves heaven and earth to prevent a marriage between us, Alano?”
“Because you’re not good enough for her?” Alano’s mouth twisted into a grimace. “Thenshe’snot good enough for you now, is she?”
The special license Douglas obtained had cost him dearly, but he’d been able to acquire one because of his extended stay abroad, the reasoning being that he had no home parish. Also, using the Duke of Herridge’s name assisted the process.
Instead of returning home, however, he returned to the duke’s home midmorning. According to Alano,morningcalls were not made until afternoon. But this was not a social call as much as one of conscience.
First of all, he wanted to ensure that Sarah was not being mistreated by her father. He hadn’t liked what he’d seen of the Duke of Herridge and wouldn’t put it past the man to be a bully. Secondly, he wanted to speak to Sarah alone. She deserved to know the truth; he wasas far from a gentleman as she was from the alleys of Perth.
Simons, however, refused to admit him when he knocked.
“I’m sorry, sir, but Lady Sarah is not at home to callers.”
A statement Douglas correctly interpreted, thanks to Alano’s tutelage, as being within but unwilling to see him.
“It’s important that I speak with her, Simons,” he said. “Is the Duke at home?”
“His Grace is not, sir.”
Simons dismissed a lingering footman with a gesture of his hand and opened the door a little wider.
“You’ll be doing her no favors by attempting to see her, sir,” Simons said softly. “In fact, you may well be harming her.”
Douglas looked at the man, surprised. “How?”
“The duke would not hesitate to punish her further, sir, if he were annoyed. At least now he’s giving her food and water.”
“What do you mean, now? Has he done this before?”
Simons looked torn between reticence and revelation.
“Sir, the duke does not like rebellion,” he finally said. “Especially from those he considers beneath him.”
“His daughter?”
“Quite so, sir. Or his wife.” Simons looked toward the back of the house and the stables, as if afraid the duke would return at any moment. “He is like to do anything, and has. At the end of her last season, Lady Sarah did not wish to attend a certain function. His Grace beat her in front of the entire staff for her refusal.He has not hesitated to do what he wished whenever he wished.”
When Douglas didn’t respond, the majordomo smiled thinly. “It may be the very best thing for Lady Sarah, sir, that she is to marry you. The very best thing.”
Douglas took a step back. For all his upbringing—orphaned at eight, running wild through the alleys of Perth—he’d never abused the weak or the defenseless.
“I’m beginning to think that you’re correct, Simons,” he said. “Tell His Grace that I shall be here at the appointed time tomorrow.”
