“I made a promise and I’ll honor it.” Ned sounded dogged to his own ears.
“She has appalling taste.”
“What?”
“Yes, she does. Have you ever looked at what she wears? Prissy, silly, girlish.”
Actually, Ned hadn’t really paid attention to what Clarissa wore. “You seem to notice her more than I do.” Then again, he could recall the stitching in Gemma’s nightdress. He gave his head a hard shake, wanting to dislodge the image.
“Are you all right?” Mars asked.
Ned wasn’t going to answer, not after the comments of him being a monk.
Mars gave a small yawn. “Enough small talk. What is going on in sweet Maidenshop that has made both you and the matrons come searching for me?”
“They tried to contact you?”
“Letters, missives, threats, entreaties. All of it. There was a stack of letters in my hall when I returned. I didn’t read any of them. Royce wanted me to leave right away. What has their skirts twisted now? I’m certain it is the Logical Men’s Society. What have we done?”
“What have wenotdone, especially with Winderton at the helm.”
“Winderton?”
“He’s learned some bad tricks during his time in London. He’s drinking too much and that is never a good look. And the reason the matrons were trying to reach you before I could is because a Mrs. Gemma Estep claims that Old Andy left The Garland to her. All the matrons support her claim. Mrs. Estep is planning on turning our tavern into a tea garden and there doesn’t seem to be a female breast for a hundred miles around who hasn’t discovered a sudden, ardent desire to drink tea—and displace the Logical Men’s Society.”
“The devil you say.”
“I do say. That is why I sent for the magistrate.You.Mrs. Estep refuses to show me the proof that Andy left the building to her. I need you to set her straight. The lads and I want The Garland back. We are counting on you, Mars. There is a good amount of foolishness going on because of this.” He thought it prudent not to mention Fitz’s head bashing. “You know how we can be around here.”
A gleam of interest had come to the earl’s eye. Ned was glad. He liked his friend vital, engaged, and away from his vices. “We shall solve the issue in the morning.”
“That is what I was hoping you would say.” Ned raised a hand as if to toast the air. “Here is to our success.”
“Well, here is to hoping the law is on your side.”
“I beg pardon.”
“I must be impartial, no?”
Ned didn’t like this response. “Well. Yes. In all fairness. Except, she doesn’t have a claim, Mars.She couldn’t. Old Andy would never have left The Garland to a woman.”
“No, of course he wouldn’t,” Mars replied, yawning. He came to his feet. “I assume I can climb into my usual bed?”
“Of course.” Ned considered the room at the top of the stairs as the one for his friend.
“Then I shall seek it out.” He picked up his boots and started out of the room but then Ned stopped him.
“I want The Garland.”
“I understand.” There was a beat of silence and then Mars said, “You know Andy was like a surrogate father to me.”
“He was a good friend to all of us.”
“True, and yet, there were times I would have gone completely over the edge if he hadn’t been there for me. Opium is a poor substitute.”
“It is no substitute at all.”
Mars gave him a bland smile and changed the subject. “Well, good night, Thurlowe. I am glad we had this conversation. As much as I complain, I do enjoy your efforts to keep me on the redemption road. Just remember, heal yourself, physician.” He left the room and took the stairs.
