Paul took a seat in front of the man’s desk and waited for him to close the door before answering. “I learned where my father’s money has been going.”
Graves settled back in his chair and waited for Paul to elaborate.
“My father has been gambling,” Paul stated.
Graves blinked in surprise. “But that’s a considerable amount of money to gamble away.”
“I’m aware of that. That’s why I’m here.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I need your help, Graves. You must freeze my father’s accounts.”
“That’s impossible,” Graves said.
“You’ll do it.”
Graves shook his head. “I can’t. Your father has been careless, yes. But I do not have the power to do that.”
Paul blew out a breath. “And I suppose that, as his son, my hands are tied, as well?”
“Yes,” Graves answered.
Paul raked his fingers through his hair, trying to think of some way to stop the flow of money into his father’s careless hands. He looked at the solicitor and saw a spark in the man’s eyes. “What are you thinking, Graves?”
“I told you of your father’s wish to find a buyer for some of the property surrounding Talbot Hall, yes?” Graves asked.
“Yes.” He sat up, his hands in fists. “Don’t tell me you did such a thing.”
“No, no,” Graves rushed out. “Of course not.”
Paul rolled his shoulders as he relaxed a bit. “What, then?”
“I led your father to believe an offer of purchase was forthcoming.”
Paul was intrigued by the sly grin the man wore. “Did you, now?”
“Yes,” Graves said. “It won’t take much to let him believe the money will be delayed for a time.”
Paul thought for a moment. Finally, he nodded. “Quick thinking, Graves. That will suffice for the time being. My father will join my wife and me in the country for an extended visit. We expect to leave town shortly.”
“Splendid,” Graves said in relief.
Paul managed a short laugh. “Are you pleased he’ll be gone, Graves? Or myself?”
Graves blinked. “Well, I…”
Some of Paul’s tension eased and he smiled. “What of my father’s allowance?” he asked. “What of his stipend?”
“He’s satisfied at present,” Graves said. “I suppose with the promise of more money coming from the presumed sale of the property in Yorkshire, he’ll be content.”
“Yes, yes.” His mind turned to another matter, one that he found even more unsettling. “What of my sisters?”
“Your sisters?” Graves asked. “Leed, I… I thought you knew.”
Paul stiffened. “Knew what?”
Graves bristled, saying nothing.
“Has my father set aside funds for my sisters’ dowries?”
“No,” Graves said in a small voice.
“Son-of-a-bitch!” Paul roared, slamming his hand down on the desk.
Graves jumped back in his seat. “I pleaded with him time and again, Leed.”
“What the devil am I expected to do now?” Paul came to his feet. “I can’t afford to… Ah, this is too much.”
“I received a missive this morning that may interest you,” Graves said.
“What?” Paul asked. “More bad news, I wager.” He snorted. “A missive from whom?”
“Your wife’s solicitors.”
“Bloody… See here, if this is about her dowry, I won’t discuss it.”
“It concerns a different matter entirely, I assure you.”
Paul took a breath. “Do get on with it, man.”
Graves gave a quick nod. “Your wife’s uncle has settled a gift on the two of you, in honor of your marriage.”
“A gift?”
“Yes,” Graves said. “A generous one, if I may say so.”
“Just what is this ‘gift,’ Graves?”
“Twenty thousand pounds.”
Paul looked at him, his mouth agape. “But, who would…? Which uncle?”
“I believe he’s the late Earl of Thomasham’s younger brother. The present earl.”
Paul’s mind worked. “Would he be the father of Reginald Thomas?”
“Why, yes. I believe so.”
Why would Reggie’s father gift Michelle with so much money? And did the dandy know of it today?
“I trust this is satisfactory?” Graves asked.
“What? Yes, Graves. Please see the funds settled into my accounts.”
“Very good.”
“Thank you for your attention in all of this, Graves.” Paul stood and shook the solicitor’s hand. “Please inform me if my father requests more funds.”
Once back in his carriage, Paul pondered what he’d learned in Graves’ office. His father hadn’t dowered his sisters. And what of the mysterious gift from Michelle’s uncle? Was Reggie at the bottom of it?
No. The lecher was an annoyance but he had nothing to gain by seeing a gift settled on his cousin. Michelle had seemed out-of-sorts yesterday. And guilty, strange as that seemed.
“She would never betray me,” he muttered. “Least of all with that dandy.”
Paul leaned his head back and prayed he was correct.
* * * *
Michelle sighed and set aside the responses to Thomasham. Everyone seemed most excited to come to the country for an extended visit, and she really tried to find pleasure in the anticipation herself. She’d nearly managed it, until she’d come across Reggie’s response.
“Damn him anyway,” she murmured.
“My Lady,” Starks said from the doorway.
“Yes?”
“A missive has arrived for you, My Lady.” He handed her the sealed and folded foolscap.
“Thank you, Starks.” Michelle took the letter, refraining from touching the familiar seal, and set it on the desk before her. “Please close the door.”
Starks bowed and took his leave. Michelle gently broke the seal and unfolded the note. As she’d suspected, it was from Reggie. His hand was very elegant, bordering on flowery, but that didn’t soften the message. It was curt and very much to the point.
Chancery Court:
Argument, key points and discussion
Must have by 12:00
R
Michelle glanced at the clock on the desk, her heart racing. Reggie gave her less than two hours to copy the information he needed and get it delivered, all without Paul knowing any of it. With little time to spare, she refolded the missive and stood. She took a few steps to the door and peered out into the hall. Starks wasn’t about, and she hurriedly withdrew several sheets of paper from her desk and hurried to Paul’s study. Feeling like a thief, she closed the door and crossed to his desk.
Guilt churning in her belly, she located the file she’d read the other night. Taking pen to paper, she copied the speaker’s argument and points. And Paul’s eloquent responses.
* * * *
When Paul returned to the townhouse he found Michelle in the front sitting room, seated at the small writing desk. The desktop was littered with papers.
“Greetings, wife,” he called from the doorway.
She lifted her head with a jerk, then smiled. “Paul.” She stood and crossed to him. “I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
He kissed her lightly, wrapping his arms around her. “My business didn’t take as long as I expected.” He took in the disarray on the desk. “What’s all of this?”
“I’m helping my mother sort through the responses. It seems everyone is delighted to come to Thomasham.”
“And why not?” he said. “It promises to be enjoyable.”
“Indeed. I received word from your father and sisters as well.”
“Did you?” Paul set his hat on the desk and faced her. “And will they be joining us?”
“Yes.” Michelle laughed lightly. “Catherine somehow managed to chatter on in the missive.”
He settled on the gray chaise and regarded her closely for a long moment.
“Is something troubling you, husband?”
The gift
, he thought.
And your cousin
. “Not troubling me, precisely,” he said. “I received some news from my solicitor today.”
Michelle’s eyes widened for the briefest moment, but Paul didn’t miss the action. “Oh? And what was this news?”
“Your uncle has settled a gift on us.”
He waited to judge her reaction, watching as she shuffled the papers about.
“I believe Reggie mentioned his father had such plans.”
“It’s a very generous gift, Michelle,” Paul said. “Initially, I thought to refuse it.”
“You can’t.” She faced him. “My uncle would be very upset if you did such a thing.”
“Do you truly think I would insult your family in such a manner?”
Michelle was thoughtful for a moment. When she faced him again, Paul saw the flicker in her eyes. Was she angry?
“I don’t recall meeting your uncle at the wedding,” he said, thinking to get to the bottom of matters. “Will he be joining us at Thomasham?”
She shook her head. “He’s become a recluse these past few years. I haven’t spent much time in his company since I was a child. He was always very nice to me, though.”
“Was he close to your father?”
“Oh, yes,” she said with a smile. “My father liked him very much and always treated him kindly.”
With the expression of fondness on her face, he could almost think he’d imagined her anger earlier. “It seems strange such a pleasant man would have a son like Reggie.”
Michelle lost her smile. “Reggie is a scoundrel.”
“You went for a ride with him just yesterday.”
She once more turned her attention to the responses on the desk. “I told you that was at my mother’s insistence.”
“So, pray, share the burgeoning list of revelers with me.”
Michelle smiled and read from the list of friends and family expected to join them at Thomasham. He let her voice wash over him, not hearing one name she recited as he puzzled over her strange connection to Reginald Thomas.
As Michelle readied for dinner that evening, her thoughts went back to their conversation in the sitting room. Paul wouldn’t insult her family in such a manner? How dare he say such a thing! He’d insulted her father’s memory by refusing her dowry, hadn’t he?
And what of his interest in Reggie? Did he suspect his involvement in what she was coming to view as her shameful deceit?
She frowned at her image in the mirror, more torn over the events of the past few days than she could have foreseen. She wouldn’t speak of Reggie, or of the so-called gift from his father. She wouldn’t divulge her theft of Paul’s gifted words. No. She’d force her conversation to be light and gay, to enchant her husband so he could think of nothing but her.
Chapter 22
It was one week before they were to leave for Thomasham, and Michelle’s nerves were held intact by a thread thinner than the one she plied with her needle. The prettily-redecorated front parlor was no haven this morning. Another request would come today. Another missive from Reggie, another theft from Paul’s office. She knew it in her heart. Yes, Parliament would close sessions by next week. But Reggie would make sure to continue his blackmail when next they were in Town.
“I need to speak with Lord Leed directly,” a male voice boomed from the foyer. “Tell him I will not be refused.”
Her breath held, she left her needlework on the settee and stepped into the entryway just as a red-faced Starks was bowing before the well-dressed visitor.
“Yes, Lord Gorham,” the butler said. “I will announce you.”
“As you should.” Lord Gorham, a barrel-chested man in his forties, glared at the servant before spotting her in the arched doorway of the front parlor. “Lady Leed. Pray, forgive my intrusion but your husband and I have business to discuss.”
“Gorham, what is the—” Paul stopped as he too saw Michelle standing there. He gave her a short bow and faced Lord Gorham. “In my office, Gorham. We will not be disturbed.”
Michelle watched a slightly-mollified Lord Gorham precede Paul down the hall toward his office. Paul cast a puzzled look in her direction and followed his visitor.
Was this related to her deceit? Michelle gripped the wooden casing of the doorway to keep herself upright. God help her now.
Paul closed the door and turned to Lord Gorham. “Gorham, pray what is this about?”
“My speech, Leed. My bloody inadequate speech against the Chancery.”
“I don’t understand.” Paul sat behind his desk and waved Gorham into the seat facing him. “The points were yours. I thought you’ve always been happy with my illustrations of them in the past.”
Gorham sat, removing his hat as he blew out an exasperated breath. “God help me, I don’t know how I was to defend my position.”
“Why?”
“Because, Leed, before I could state my points and your eloquent illustrations my opponent anticipated me.”
“Surely not on the entirety of your speech.”
“Indeed. On every bloody point!”
Paul was dumbfounded. “I don’t know what to say. I regret your argument was not heard to full effect.”
“Do you? That is not much solace to me. I’m a laughingstock.”
“Surely not that.” Paul eyed the imposing gentleman in front of him. “Your views are to be respected.”
“But not heard, apparently.” Gorham stood and placed his hat on his head. “Pray, don’t worry that I will come to you in the future.”
“What are you saying? You blame me for this?”
Gorham had the grace to shrug. “Not precisely. But perhaps it’s time I find another man to eloquently express my opinions. I assure you, I will not be the only one to make that decision.”
“Now see here, Gorham—”
Gorham pulled open the door and shook his head. “I hear you’re off to your wife’s family seat. Enjoy yourself. Perhaps by the time you return to Town I’ll have reconsidered.”
Paul could do nothing as Gorham left, his threat hanging heavy in the air. Without his speeches he would never be able to set aside the money to dower his sisters. The gift from Michelle’s uncle would go a long way toward making repairs and such to the townhouse, but as far as giving him a legacy to leave his own children?
His speeches brought more than money, it was true. He earned the respect of some of the most important men in the government. Men who depended upon him to aid their causes and see their voices heard. If Gorham went through on his threat, his work wouldn’t be desired.
“What the devil happened?” he muttered.
* * * *