“Then she has no other interest which might preclude marriage?”
“Thea had a foolish desire to become a writer some years ago, inspired by a spinster aunt, a poetess. I am quite sure she has grown out of it.”
He frowned. “Thea writes poetry?”
“No, and I am sure I would know if she did.”
He couldn’t imagine Thea penning flowery rhyme. It didn’t fit at all with what he knew about her. A phase in her schoolroom years, he decided.
Lady Trentham eyed him for a moment from beneath the rim of her bonnet. “Your engagement was a rushed affair. You do want to marry Thea?”
“I do. Or did, rather.”
“Then woo her, Grainger. All women want to be wooed. To know they’re desired and wanted.”
He nodded. Of course Thea would wish for a passionate romance. What a fool he’d been to resist such a relationship, fearing he would lose too much. Was it really worth sacrificing his chances of a deep emotional bond with his wife because it jeopardized his independence? It seemed nonsensical now, so much had happened. “I am grateful for your wisdom, Lady Trentham.”
“Pre-wedding nerves, I am sure of it.” But she fussed with her shawl, and the doubt in her eyes failed to reassure him.
After he saw her ladyship home, Ash left the coach with his grandfather’s staff at the mansion stables and gave Jed his orders for the next morning, then took a hackney to his rooms. No message from his great-aunt awaited him. He’d accepted an invitation to dinner with friends at his club. He might find Farnborough there at the card tables. Surely, by now, he would have learned it was Ash who, having foiled Corbet’s attempt to snatch Julia, had him thrown into a holding cell at Bow Street, eventually awaiting trial for the murder of Robert Spencer.
A letter from Bow Street advised him a witness had placed Corbet in the area at the time of the murder. And now that Ash had sent a message to Mrs. Tyler advising her that Julia was under his his care, Farnborough would soon be aware of that, too.
As Corbet was unlikely ever to be released, Ash expected Farnborough or one of his thugs to come after him. Well, let them come. Ash hoped they would. He wanted an end to this business so that he could concentrate on what mattered most in his life. Thea.
Ash thought he’d have time up his sleeve before Farnborough discovered where Julia was. But he wished he could be sure of that. He retired to bed feeling uneasy. Farnborough behaved in a reckless and slightly unhinged manner. Ash could not count on him to act calmly or rationally in the future.
Peter had obeyed his summons and appeared in the inn dining room, while Ash ate his breakfast.
“Sit and have something to drink.” Ash summoned the maid.
“Thank you, milord.”
While Peter drank his coffee, Ash explained what he needed done. “It requires venturing into the most unsavory areas of London, so I must caution you to be armed and careful.”
Peter shrugged. “No need. I know my way around East London gangs.”
Ash sawed into his bacon. “I hope so, Peter. It’s not something I wish to ask of you. But there were two unsavory characters in the tavern over a week ago. I need to know what they wanted with Farnborough. I believe you’re the man to find it out.”
Peter threw back the last dregs and stood. “Leave it to me, milord.”
“Give any information you discover to my valet. I may not remain in London long.”
He watched Peter stride away down the street through the inn window. This nasty business stuck in his throat. Next, he would consult his solicitor, who could explain the intricacies of the trust to him.
A bit later, Ash made his way to his stables for his horse. He would call first on his solicitor and then Aunt Clara, in the hope she had news to impart.
Chapter Fourteen
Acool breezewhipped across Thea’s face, ruffling the feather on her riding hat as she rode in Julia’s wake. The girl cantered her horse over the freshly scythed, verdant acres of parkland. Julia seemed like a coiled spring, which made Thea uneasy. She should have insisted on some boundaries before they mounted.
Earlier, when Julia spoke of how much she missed riding since they’d sent her to the school, it made Thea sad for her. She offered to ride with her after breakfast every morning. Julia jumped at the chance. Thea placed a great deal of importance on her freedom and could understand how caged the girl must feel. She supposed riding gave Julia a brief sense of being in control, and she certainly was a fine horsewoman.
“When did your stepfather send you to Mrs. Tyler’s? Was it after your mother became ill?” Thea asked when she rode her mount beside Julia’s.
Julia cast her an anxious look. “Mama didn’t want me to go, but my stepfather bullied her. She wasn’t even able to say goodbye the day he sent me away. He said she was too ill, but I didn’t believe him.” She shrugged her narrow shoulders. “I was in deep despair until Mama wrote to me a week later and begged me to be patient until she came to fetch me. But then…” Her chest heaved. “A letter arrived from my stepfather to say Mama had succumbed to her illness. I didn’t believe him then, and I still don’t.”
“Is there anyone else your mother might stay with, apart from your aunt?”
