Richard waved a dismissive hand. Andrew wouldn’t meet his eyes.
“Your mother has gone to live with your sister,” Andrew said. “She is relieved to be free of her nip-cheese sister-in-law, I believe.”
Jamie couldn’t digest the thought of Arianne married. “What is his name? Is he good to her?”
“Sir Walter Canfield. I haven’t seen her since the wedding, but she seemed happy enough then,” Andrew said. “If you are concerned with their welfare, you should visit them.”
Jamie’s head snapped up. “I can’t,” Jamie shouted. “You know I can’t go back.”
He went on more softly, “Arianne is settled. You said that yourself. I am worthless to them. My name is bankrupt, long since published in theLondon Gazette. Only the bailiffs wait for me. The vultures will have taken everything by now, and they’re entitled to it,” he paused for a moment, “not that the house contained anything worth a farthing.”
“Mumford is entailed. No one can take it.”
“They’ll have taken the rents. Worthless in any case. Tenants driven off by my father’s neglect. Farms barren. House falling down. The crown can have it when I’m gone.” Jamie didn’t pretend to care. The old place made up the stuff of his nightmares. He had spent a lifetime escaping it. “I don’t want it. Never did.”
“But isn’t it your mother’s home?” Andrew asked.
“Miserable place. She’s better off with Arianneand this Canfield person.” He didn’t know that though. He saw with sudden clarity that even with Richard’s news he couldn’t be sure the women entrusted to his care were well provided for. He couldn’t know it unless he went back.
“It is your son’s birthright, and your grandchildren’s heritage,” Richard pressed.
“It may have escaped your attention, Richard, but I have neither.”Nor am I ever likely to.He had to talk to Nora. He would make an apology at least. He owed her that much. He would apologize and give her freedom. He would not tell her about the Avante; he couldn’t bear it. Grief threatened to overwhelm him.
“Exactly what do you want?” Jamie asked. “Let’s be done with it.”
“Come back with us.” Richard’s eyes bore into Jamie’s.
“Face it, fix it, and be done with it,” Andrew said.
“I can’t. I’m wanted for debts I can’t pay.” A sudden thought made him hesitate. Something in their faces made him sure. He fell back in his chair. “You paid those, too, didn’t you?”
Neither man denied it.
“Will helped,” Andrew said. “He has taken Mumford in hand and hired a steward.”
Will Landrum, the Earl of Chadbourn, made up the fourth of their group. They had called themselves “The Cohort” as foolish schoolboys, but the name stuck long after they had grown. Jamie ought to have known he was involved.
“I’ll owe you for the rest of my life!” Jamie shouted.
Neither man responded. They looked back with calm determination.They don’t know about the Avante. If they did, they would have said. If they did, they wouldn’t insist on helping.
“Besides,” he went on, “I—” he meant to tell them everything, but it stuck in his throat “—am married,” he finished at last.
“Your family will, of course, travel with us,” Andrew said.
“Isabella cannot. She must stay in Italy. Nora won’t leave her,” Jamie told them.
“The will and the house in Rome.” Richard looked down at neatly manicured hands. There seemed to be little he didn’t know, even the conditions of Beaumont’s will.
“You questioned Wentworth,” Jamie spat.
“He didn’t require questioning. The man seemed positively gleeful to share information,” Andrew told him.
“The little girl must remain behind.” Richard continued, “Your wife, of course, will stay with her. There is no help for it. You’ll have to come alone. She will wait for you.” In the man’s mind, Nora’s compliance was never in doubt.
Jamie knew better. Nora wouldn’t allow some duke—any duke—to arrange her life.I’d like to see him try it, he thought with bitter amusement. “Why?” he demanded. “You’ve arranged everything in ways I can’t repay. What use will I be in England?”
“You owe your mother and sister that much,” Andrew said softly. “Come, check on their well-being and be certain about arrangements.”
