He sat in an armchair and sifted through his letters. “Well enough. Where is Sarah?”
“She is walking in the park with Mr. Beaufort,” his mother said, appearing slightly perplexed. “She has taken the maid Agnes as chaperone. I’m not sure what happened last Tuesday, while I was confined to my bedchamber, but it appears Lord Cardew has returned to Bath, and Sarah seems perfectly happy about it.”
Hugh frowned. “I thought he’d left a while ago.”
“Apparently, he did. But he returned and came to see her. I’ve not been told what occurred, but Grimsby informed me Mr. Beaufort was here at the same time.”
Hugh wondered if Sarah would tell him the truth or give him an edited version of events. Luke would be a better bet. He’d invite him to dine and have a game of cards or billiards at the club.
“Oh, and Miss Kershaw was also here,” his mother added, her needle poised over her tapestry.
At the mention of her name, Hugh’s heart gave a throb and his chest tightened. He was anxious to see her and reassure himself that no man had proposed to her. It appeared that Lucy was the calming influence on Sarah, just as he’d hoped. Cardew had left London, so it appeared the matter was at an end. Hugh wanted to see Lucy. He had news for her aunt about Rattray, and a good deal besides. But he discovered a letter from Isabel in the mail. “Excuse me, Mama. I must go up and remove the travel dust.”
“Do you have need of me, milord?” Wickstaff asked, emerging from Hugh’s dressing room with his hands full of folded cravats, already restoring order after their journey. Hugh’s valet had developed the sonorous tones of his butler. Hugh found it amusing, as he had come from the far north.
“I’ll bathe. Put out the dark-blue coat and cream pantaloons. I trust you to choose the waistcoat.” His former batman made an excellent valet. He had been invaluable during the war. They’d gone through a lot of action together, and he often wondered if Wickstaff missed it.
Wickstaff allowed himself a small smile as he laid out a change of clothes and prepared the bath, while Hugh sat down to read Isabel’s letter, wondering what revelations it contained.
She wrote to inform him the wedding was to take place in Canterbury on the following Saturday and their passage was booked for the next day. I shall write again when we reach our destination, Hugh, she wrote.And tell you all about it.Hugh folded the letter, deciding to see them off at the docks on Sunday. He wished he could be happy for Isabel but couldn’t bring himself to believe she had made a good decision. Obviously, Sir Phillip had consented to the marriage. It seemed the best solution, as Isabel loved the father of her baby, and it would spell ruin to the family should it ever get out. But he still pitied Lady Ashton, who would be distraught over losing her beloved daughter.
The other letters were put aside for his secretary. Hugh’s plan to see Lucy must wait. After all, he tended to attract attention wherever he went and had made several trips to her aunt’s house. He didn’t want any gossip to reach the Ashtons before the new Mrs. Benton sailed.
When he came downstairs having bathed and changed, Sarah was in the morning room with Luke, a footman and a maid serving tea. They were laughing together. Her cheeks were pink, and her eyes sparkled. Luke appeared to be a happy man. Hugh looked forward to finding out what had gone on in his absence. There would be three differing versions, Sarah’s, Luke’s, and Lucy’s, if she consented to reveal it. But learning it from Sarah would be no easier than asking Lucy had been. He’d laugh if the matter weren’t so serious.
As Sarah was present, Hugh resisted asking Luke what had occurred. The warning in Luke’s eyes intrigued him. But he must leave it until they dined at White’s club that evening.
When Luke took his leave, and Sarah went upstairs to see their mother, Hugh left the drawing room for the library and sent for Grimsby and the footman who had been on duty that morning.
The butler came in to the library soon afterward with John. “Yes, milord?”
“What took place when Lord Cardew was here? Anything untoward?”
Grimsby cleared his throat. “John can give you a clearer picture, my lord.”
John shuffled his feet. “Er. I believe Mr. Beaufort drew Lord Cardew’s cork, milord.”
Hugh’s eyebrows rose. “Do you know why?”
“No, but by the sound of it, Lord Cardew caused a lot of trouble,” Grimsby said.
“Was this in front of the ladies?”
“Yes, milord.”
Hugh nodded. “Thank you, Grimsby, John. That will be all.”
It was time to have it out with Sarah. He sat thinking over what he had learned, then when he heard her coming down the stairs, he went out to meet her. “Mama seems better,” he said.
“Her health has improved a lot, and the doctor is very pleased.”
“Excellent news. Will you come into the library for a moment, Sarah?”
She looked wary. “What for?”
“A drink, and a chat.”
She followed him inside and sat, her feet tucked up at one end of the sofa while Hugh poured the drinks.
