Gideon took no small satisfaction in toppling Clavering’s expectations where he was concerned. Perhaps muscle aches were worth it, though he suspected his vanity had more to do with the fact that the viscount was Euphemia Selwyn’s uncle than with the man himself.
Walking back to his office, Gideon considered Curtis Marshall. The steward’s support for his dictates to Mrs. Morrit had come as a relief. How much of that support derived from the viscount’s presence, he couldn’t be certain. The two seemed to be on familiar terms.
Up until now Marshall had ignored Gideon to the extent possible. Surprisingly, he ignored Tavernash as well. A land steward for a duke carried respect, generally seen as the most respected untitled man in a shire, and in many households, such a man would join the family for dinner. Clearly Clavering held him in esteem. Yet Marshall kept his distance from Tavernash, even though he allowed the man to take up residence based on claims that had to appear shaky, even if the steward was unaware of the true state of the succession.Why?
Marshall hunched over papers at his desk when Gideon reached the work area. His expression suggested frustration.No time like the present to ask…He tapped the open door and stepped in.
Marshall frowned up at him, giving Gideon a moment to glance around the room. He wondered again where the family archives might be stored.Here, perhaps?
“Want something, Kendrick?” Marshall asked.
“I thought you had a drainage ditch to see to,” Gideon said.
“I do.” He waved a paper he had been fidgeting with. “We called in an engineer from Weymouth. Fool didn’t seem to know the difference between a drainage ditch and a seaport. Left me this. Viscount gone?”
“Went up to see his daughter. He plans to leave them both here,” Gideon replied.
The steward shook his head. “Mrs. Morrit will be more sour than usual. The footmen will be tripping over each other to fetch and carry to them.”
“It is unfortunate they’ve been marooned in an all-male household.”
“Aye. It is that. At least Tavernash hasn’t taken an interest in them.” Marshall scowled at the name.
“He’s hiding because he thinks they plan to trap him into marriage, him being a duke’s heir and all,” Gideon said with a cynical twist to his lips.
Marshall let out a bark of laughter.
“Why didn’t you send Tavernash packing as soon as he minced in here?” Gideon asked.
“He waltzed in acting all lord of the manor and announced he was ‘heir presumptive’ and that his cousin most likely is dead. I checked the relationship and found it true, so we couldn’t just toss him on his ear. We give him room and food but keep the funds and the family papers under lock and key.” Family papers. It was on the tip of Gideon’s tongue to ask, but the moment passed.
Marshall studied him for a long moment. “Is His Grace really alive?”
“To the best of my knowledge, yes. He wrote to me in August about his scheme to send me here.”
“Where the devil is he hiding?” Marshall asked.
“I have no idea. Paris, perhaps. He likes it there.”
“I thought you two hated each other,” Marshall said.
“No, that was my father—and Fillmore, his toady. You must have thought I was dead as my unlamented sire intended. His Grace did as well, up until a year ago,” Gideon said. “We were happy we were able to reunite.”
Marshall grunted. “The ways of the mighty…”
“Why don’t you take dinner in the formal dining room?”
“With the ‘family’?” Marshall gave the word a sarcastic twist. “I got tired of hearing what the man’s mother thinks and how he plans to spend his coming windfall.”
“I sympathize. I eat with him because he bears watching,” Gideon said. “You might join us. I could use civil conversation. I’m trying to convince Miss Selwyn to join us also.”
Marshall cast an intrigued glance at Gideon and then picked up his pen. Gideon knew dismissal when he saw it. He turned to leave.
“Kendrick.” At Marshall’s word, Gideon paused in the doorway.
“You heard Clavering. Stay away from the niece.” He rushed on as if embarrassed by the implication. “Sadler vouched for you. My man went up to London to see him face-to-face. He sent word I am to give you ‘every courtesy.’”
“Kind of you to let me know,” Gideon replied, biting back a laugh. He went on his way with a little lightness in his step, though only one burden had been lifted. There were plenty others.
