“The father was a major stockholder in two mines. It appears one was sold to a local man named Kendrick. Glenmoor retains the other. At least I saw no sign it had been sold away. Handy, that.”
Lucy frowned at Brynn. “What do you mean, ‘handy’? Men invest in those things and never go near them.”
“While their minions destroy the countryside and lives with it. I know.” To Brynn’s horror, the bitterness he always kept in check had spilled out. He rushed on. “If a man wanted to get rid of a family embarrassment, a mine is a handy place to bury it.”Bury, he feared, may be the correct word in this case.
“You think Glenmoor sent this Gideon to the mines. Did you see that name in the reports you read?” Benson asked.
Brynn shook his head. “No sign of a Jessop, but miners aren’t listed by name.”No one gives a damn about the ones that give their blood for black gold.“Did you find anything about Glenmoor the elder from Horse Guards?”
Benson sat up straighter. “I forgot to tell you. Yes. Randolph Tavernash served with Tarleton in the Americas during their rebellion. They took the city of Charleston during the fighting in the South; that much fits the story. Tavernash doesn’t appear to have had a title at that time, even an honorary one. My contact said he probably had no expectation of inheriting.”
“If he married a colonial woman as plain Mr. Tavernash, she may not have suited as the wife of a duke,” Lucy murmured. “Poor woman.”
Brynn and Benson kept their silence. They both knew well the liaisons, formal and informal, made by men of every rank during wars and left behind. Yet the boy, Gideon, had lived at Woodglen with Glenmoor.
Mullins, the Bensons’ butler, called them into dinner, to Brynn’s relief. As Lucy led the way, Benson turned to Brynn and murmured, “We will send the palace guard to escort Maddy to Ashmead,” using Lucy’s name for the handful of her husband’s most trusted soldiers who had protected her in the past.
“I’m going.” The words were out before Brynn thought them through. At his friend’s raised brows, he whispered, “It isn’t Jessop that worries me. She’s up to something. One of us needs to keep an eye on her, for her own sake.”
Chapter Twelve
By the timehe finished chasing down Jessop’s whereabouts the following afternoon, Brynn had little time to dress and make his way to Danbury’s musicale. He cursed under his breath. He looked forward to one more opportunity to see the duchess and had promised the Bensons he would meet them there.
Jessop had taken rooms in a perfectly respectable boarding establishment, but he’d absconded before Brynn had gotten there. The man had paid his shot and left generous vails. “Nottinghamshire,” the landlord volunteered. “Somethin’ about family there.” Nottingham was a scant ten miles from Ashmead and the duchess’s cottage.
A short time later, Brynn confirmed it. Jessop was heading to Ashmead. There being nothing he could do about it that night, he hastened to his rooms to change.
*
Looking around Danbury’sentrance hall, Lucy sighed. “I admit with reluctance that a proper dress gives me confidence.” Her gown, azure covered with tiny white-and-silver flowers in delicate embroidery, was the envy of every woman present that evening, but Lucy, who had served as the steward of Willowbrook for several years, found her joy in that triumph a weakness.
“Admit it. Rob’s face when he saw you in this dress would give any woman confidence. Besides, I’m feeling rather fine myself.” While not quite as extravagant as Lucy’s, the green silk of Maddy’s new gown flowed gracefully. The dress and the music made her feel like dancing, a foolish conceit that had her smiling when she entered on her brother’s arm.
“You ought to get out more often, Maddy. It does you good.” David’s satisfied smile amused Maddy.Perhaps he’ll quit fussing over me.She prepared to enjoy herself, and once the Marchioness of Danbury took Lucy to introduce her to all and sundry as “Our Sir Robert’s charming bride,” she let herself relax.
They filtered into the music salon, where their hostess pulled Rob and Lucy to the front. Maddy held back, seeking a seat in a far corner. She caught sight of Glenmoor smiling down at a young woman, and the vision warmed her heart. She had held the boy in affection and protected him when she could. Seeing him now, so different from his father, gently hold a chair for the girl, she couldn’t help another surge of happiness for him.
David took a seat next to hers.
“Is that Sir Elliot Garland’s daughter with Glenmoor?” she asked.
He craned his neck to see. “I believe so. Goodness! Glenmoor appears utterly besotted. Not the done thing.”
“Good for him! And why shouldn’t he show his feelings?”
“It is unusual for a man of his standing. One doesn’t expect a duke to make a love match, and people talk. We can only wish them well.”
“I do. I hope nothing impedes his success.” Worry niggled at her. She would protect him if she could.
“The girl seems to return his affection. I would expect it to proceed without problem. Her father can’t possibly have any objection to a wealthy duke.”
The music began, preventing further discussion. Maddy glanced back once. Glenmoor caught her eye, and his sweet smile went straight to her heart. The girl at his side truly did seem to glow in his presence.Please God, don’t let Jessop cause trouble.
The program, every bit as excellent as Danbury had promised, took her away. She let it seep inside and drive out her shadows. When the interim came, she hated coming back to earth.
Glenmoor rose and smiled back at her before leaning over to speak to his beloved. Before Maddy could follow David and the rest of the crowd in the direction of the refreshments, he approached, the lady on his arm. His eyes actually twinkled with joy when he presented her to Maddy.
“Your Grace, may I present Miss Garland? Eloisa, the Duchess of Glenmoor. My stepmother.”
