Alexander nodded. “I shall speak to him tomorrow. Never fear, your watch will be returned to you. Do you wish me to pursue the matter of the robbery?”
“No, sir, I expect it’s far too late to apprehend the varmints. They will be long gone by now and the landlord won’t inform on them. Those sort of people tend to stick together, do they not?”
“In which case there’s no more I can do. I shall pay for the replacement of your wardrobe; you shan’t be out of pocket. Another thing, Bentley, the east wing shall be yours as long as you wish to reside here. However, when we reopen Newcomb in the spring this place will need extensive repairs to the roof. Therefore I suggest you remain in Grosvenor Square until your accommodation is ready for you.”
“Of course, I don’t wish to intrude. I can assure you, your grace, I much appreciate your generosity. I know I am no longer likely to be in line for the title but your settlement and sponsorship has given me a new direction. I can now live the life of a gentleman, something I had never aspired to until your lawyers contacted me.”
Isobel had heard quite enough, time she retired to the blessed peace of her own apartment where she could read her novel without interruption. “If you’ll both excuse me, I shan’t remain for the supper tray.”
Alexander was up before her and offered his hand to assist her from her chair. With a smile she accepted. The young man bowed politely in her direction.
“Your grace, forgive me, but as I’ve no wish to intrude, would it be possible for me to know at what time you rise to take your dogs for a walk? I also enjoy an early-morning stroll and will ensure I don’t come down at the same time as you.”
She looked at him in surprise. He was more the kind of gentleman who would lie in bed until midday than one who got up with the lark. However, his question was perfectly civil and demanded a similar reply. “I no longer come down at first light but around eight o’clock . Please, Mr Bentley, feel free to get up whenever you wish, we stand on no ceremony here. If you require breakfast earlier than that you only have to ask.”
“No, my lady, I do beg your pardon, I’ve no intention of asking your household to change arrangements on my account. I shall take my constitutional first thing.”
What an odd conversation. Alexander shook his head equally puzzled. The warmth of his gaze lifted her spirits as she made her way upstairs. The evening had not turned out nearly as wearisome as she’d feared, but she’d had enough of both of them tonight.
Bentley had talked of nothing but fashion and gossip, and there was nothing more tedious than hearing on dits about people one had never met. Alexander was the exact opposite, with his every word she’d found herself being drawn to him just as she had been she’d been when an impressionable debutante. She would not be taken in a second time, for he could turn the charm on and off at will.
The following morning Isobel was woken by voices beneath her window. How curious—who could possibly be outside so early? Then she recalled Bentley had told her he was taking an early morning walk, he must be speaking to one of the outside men.
She was about to go back to sleep when something about the conversation bothered her. She rolled out of bed and went to the window, peeping around the heavy curtain and pressing her nose against the shutter.
Good heavens! Bentley was outside but he was talking to two unpleasant individuals who were certainly not employed at Newcomb. The taller man, his face obscured by a muffler and pulled down cap, was angry.
“You ran away from us. Don’t think your belongings are enough to settle what you owe my master. He has your vowels and he wants payment.”
“I told you, I have nothing of my own. I’m dependent on Rochester. You have my word I will pay you as soon as I am solvent.” Bentley sounded desperate. He grasped the tall man’s sleeve. “You shouldn’t be here. The duchess is increasing and the duke will toss me aside if I anger him. If your master is patient, then he will get his money eventually.”
Bentley glanced up—had he somehow detected her presence at the window? Hastily she retreated deeply disturbed by what she’d heard. The young man obviously had gambling debts and the person he owed money to was prepared to take what he owed by violent means.
She must get dressed and speak to Alexander. He would know what to do. She rang the bell and paced the room until Sally appeared.
“Please send word to my husband; I wish to see him urgently.”
Sally curtsied. “Yes, your grace. I shall go myself.”
Scarcely ten minutes later her bedchamber door flew open and Alexander appeared with his cravat poorly tied and his hair on end. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Are you unwell?”
“No, nothing like that. It’s Bentley. I was woken by him talking to two ruffians outside my room. They were threatening him over his gaming debts. Heaven knows what devil he owes money to.”
“Devil take the man! He’s an infernal nuisance. Don’t worry, my love, I shall have the intruders apprehended and settle Bentley’s debts this time. However, I shall make it abundantly clear I will not do so again.”
His face was hard—his eyes slate grey. She felt sorry for the young man. “Thank you, Alexander. I’m afraid I can’t like your cousin, but I must own I feel a trifle sorry for him. He seems to attract disaster.”
“Return to bed, my dear, leave matters to me.”
By the time Isobel eventually went downstairs there was no sign of her husband or Mr Bentley. Bill followed her to the breakfast room.
“Your grace, I am to inform you Mr Bentley has returned to London. His grace was accompanied him but will be back before dark.”
“Thank you, Bill. Do you know if the intruders were discovered?”
“No, my lady. The outside men scoured the grounds and outbuildings but found no one. I reckon they said their piece and then took off.”
“I hope that’s the case. They were unpleasant men—not the sort of person own wishes to have wandering freely about the place.”
Her husband returned at dusk and Isobel was obliged to contain her curiosity until he had changed and joined her downstairs.
“Alexander, I have sent for coffee. Do you wish for anything more substantial or are you happy to wait until we dine?”
He flopped into an armchair and stretched his booted legs towards the fire. “Coffee will be fine, my dear. I’m relieved to be back. Rufus is a magnificent animal but even he is shattered after making a double journey to Town.”
“I’ve no wish to hear about your horse, Alexander. Tell me at once what you’ve been doing all day.”
A footman came in to place the tray on a convenient side table. Alexander nodded and waved him away. Not waiting for her scramble up and serve him, he leant forward and picked up the silver jug and poured himself a steaming cup of aromatic brew.
“That’s better. Now, I shall tell you everything that transpired today. I sent Hill with Bentley to pay the debts. Three hundred guineas is a substantial sum but it could have been worse.” He swallowed another mouthful of coffee and she watched the strong column of his throat convulse.
“I can’t believe you have ridden almost forty miles today and are still upright. You could not have done so a year ago.” Her cheeks flamed and she wished her incautious remark unspoken. “I beg your pardon...”
He grinned at her inadvertent use of Bentley’s irritating expression. “Don’t apologise to me, sweetheart. You’ve every right to comment—after all, are you not my wife and the future mother of my child?”
His eyes gleamed above the rim of his cup and she smiled. “I’m still waiting—stop procrastinating and tell me who the money was owed to and what you did to poor Bentley.”