He accepted it, but his lips thinned. “I understand. It was my duty to try, because it seemed one solution to me. I believe that if you had such a marriage, your claim would be accepted, you see.”
“Because such a husband would control me and the land, you mean.”
He did not respond, which meant she was right.
“If you reconsider, please let me know. It truly is the fastest way to finish this. You would get what you want and His Majesty would be relieved of this worry he has now.”
“It may be the fastest way, but not the only way. I trust you are looking into the claim. You are likely to find something, and that would also finish this.”
“Of course. Of course.” He gazed up at the sun. “I must go now. Allow me to escort you back to your home.”
“I think I will stay here for a while longer, thank you.”
He gazed around the square, assessing it. She imagined him thinking,Not Mayfair, but she should be safe enough in daylight.After he left her, she walked the short distance to Bedford Square, found a private chair in the club’s library, and did some hard thinking.
Chapter Nine
Eric prided himself on equanimity and discretion. He was known for both, and it went far in gaining him access to the confidences of the most senior ministers in government. On many a day he sat with one of them in his study and they pondered the realm’s response to a threat or diplomatic problem. Like the Brentworths before him, he never served in a government position, but his influence was not small.
On this particular afternoon, he did not sit with a minister. He did not contemplate a diplomatic problem. Rather, his guests were Stratton and Langford, and he gazed at a gossip sheet that Langford had just placed ceremoniously in front of him.
“I thought you should see it,” Stratton said.
“Wethought you should,” Langford said.
Eric picked up the paper and immediately found the reason why. “What in hell is this?”
“It is a very curious writer who has a nose for scandal,” Langford said. “I have had a few dealings with him. Or rather, my name has.”
Langford was no stranger to scandal. He mostly ignored when his name became fodder for the gossips. There had been a few times when Eric envied his friend his ability to never give a damn. But then, just as Brentworths were discreet, Langfords had, down through the ages, been scandal prone. After a few generations such traditions probably invaded one’s blood. After a few generations of numerous inoculations, the blood probably becomes immune.
“Amanda buys a few of those scandal sheets,” Langford explained. “She brought this one to my attention today.”
“If it were anyone except you, the fellow probably would not poke so hard, but you are a good story due to so rarely being the subject of one,” Stratton said.
“Are you suggesting that if I flaunted every mistress and engaged in drunken brawls like Langford here, I would now be spared?”
“I rarely brawl and never when drunk,” Langford said. Then he shrugged. “Well, perhaps once or twice I was foxed.”
“Yes, I am saying just that,” Stratton said.
The article indeed poked. Since its writer had no facts, he resorted to innuendo. Why was a certain peer so obstinate in refusing to hear the claim against some lands he held? It was not as if said peer visited them often or needed the income. Indeed it was said the manor house was a ruin and uninhabitable, so said peer could not even be bothered to maintain the property. Had the means by which his family acquired those lands been in some way irregular? Were there family secrets attached to that spot of Scotland? Etcetera.
“He claims my coachman said he has never taken me there in the seven years he has served me.”
“Has he?” Langford asked.
“No, but I am disappointed if Napier spoke to this man. He knows I will not like it.”
“Do not do anything rash regarding Napier,” Langford said. “Napier may not even know to whom he spoke. He surely did not understand the importance of it.”
Eric threw down the paper. “What importance would that be?”
Langford chose that moment to groom some lint off his coat sleeve. Eric turned to Stratton instead.
“If this writer does not retreat, and truly pokes, is there anything about that land that would be better unknown?” Stratton asked. “All families have their secrets.”
“Nothing at all. Let him poke away for all the good it will do him.” He stood and looked out the window. “It is too fine a day to spend in here. I think I will ride along the river for a few hours. Join me if you like.”
