Kitabı oku: «The Earl's Secret», sayfa 4

Bloody hell! What was happening to him?

“I could ask Nathaniel to accompany us if it would put you at ease. Or perhaps your aunt could be convinced to act as chaperone?”

“I fear that Aunt Euphemia would never be able to endure the strenuous walk up to the Castle’s treasure room.” She paused for a moment, drawing her lower lip between her teeth, worrying it, and he lost the ability to think as he watched her mouth. “I know just the right person to join us.”

“Very well, shall I pick you up then at your home? If you would give me your directions, I will bring a carriage at ten in the morning. If that is not too early or too late?”

Miss Fairchild shook her head, sending a few loosened tendrils bouncing on her shoulder. The urge to wrap the hair around his finger and test its softness surged through him. “The time would be perfect, but would you mind meeting me here instead? I have some errands to finish before that time.”

David stepped around her and out onto the sidewalk, reaching back in for her basket and then her hand. Once she was standing next to him, he told the driver to wait and escorted her to the door. “I look forward to the morning then, Miss Fairchild.”

She opened the door and turned back to him, expecting, he was certain, him to leave. He did not. “Good day, Mr. Archer,” she replied.

Miss Fairchild startled when Nathaniel appeared in the doorway. She looked from one to the other and then in a surprising move, she took a position between them as though expecting some sort of altercation to erupt between them.

David wanted to laugh, for if he decided there was cause for it and it was time to do bodily injury to Nate, her slight form, lovely as it may be, would never stop him. Instead, he took note of the sincerity on her face, the slight frown of concern in her forehead, and stepped back.

“Nathaniel,” he said, nodding his head. “I have a carriage at the ready.”

Miss Fairchild glanced at Nate, the question clear in her expression. Again, her deep brown eyes narrowed and David could almost read her list of questions there. The air around them fairly crackled as she exerted a steely control over her urge to ask them. Nate waited for her to pass and then walked outside.

“Until tomorrow, Miss Fairchild.”

David tipped his hat and then followed Nate back to the carriage. He’d already instructed the driver, so, without delay, they were on their way into the gnarled lanes of traffic that continuously filled the thoroughfares of the growing city.

“Trey…”

David interrupted him with a glance before he could say any more. “Mr. Archer, there really is nothing to discuss,” Nate argued.

He shook his head. “Two acquaintances surely have many things to catch up on after such an absence.” David did not wish to conduct his true business in a hackney in the middle of the thoroughfare. Keeping his identity a secret was difficult enough without jeopardizing any gained success in that regard. “Tell me of Clarinda.”

Although Nate had spoken frequently of his sister, David had never met her. From their exploits as children, he wondered over how she had managed to overcome her rough edges and catch a… “Whom did she marry?”

“Lord MacLerie.”

“His father is the Marquess of—”

“Duran. Just so.” From his curt answers, David knew that he was going to have to pull every bit of information from his friend piece by infinitesimal piece. He let out a frustrated breath. Nate’s glare grew stronger.

“I thought this was to be about our issue of mutual concern, not a time to catch up on family ties.”

“I have not seen you in what…seven years? I simply wish to be polite and set the standard for our behavior in this exchange.”

Nate did not answer then, instead he turned his head and watched as they passed by a number of new buildings under construction along George Street. According to all reports, the New Town would continue to grow for at least several years to come. Nate had been quite canny in his choice of location for his enterprise. The carriage rambled on back over the North and South Bridges and away from both parts of Edinburgh toward Nicolson Road.

“Is your father still in the country?” David paused and waited for a reply. “If I might ask?”

Nate gave up his resistance to talk of such matters and nodded. “Yes. He prefers it during August when the city seems to wilt under the heat or be battered by storms.” David looked over when Nate finished and met the glaring gaze in his old friend’s eyes. “You already know this. Why play this game of cat and mouse with me when we both know that you, or perhaps your father, have had someone looking into my affairs for the last month? Give over and do not pretend that this is of no importance to you?”

They reached their destination—the house he was renting—and he led the way out of the carriage and to the door. Aggrieved but efficient Harley opened it as they approached.

“Good day, my lord. Mr. Hobbs-Smith, it is a pleasure to see you, sir.” Harley took their hats and gloves and led them to the small study. “Would you care for tea or some other stronger refreshments, my lord?”

David smiled as they entered the chamber and Harley simply retrieved glasses and a decanter from the cabinet and filled them with a strong local whisky. Three fingers deep in each glass told him that his valet knew the subject was serious. A moment later, they were alone. He watched as Nate took one mouthful of the liquor and swallowed deeply. His first foray was not long in coming.

“So, why is the Earl of Treybourne hiding his identity and staying in a shabbier part of town instead of the duke’s new acquisition on Charlotte Square?”

“Cutting right to the heart of it, then?” David drank a healthy portion from his glass and set it down before him on the desk. “I am not accustomed to fighting unknown enemies. When my man of business—” he paused and nodded an acknowledgment of Nate’s correct assessment of his attempts to uncover Mr. Goodfellow from afar “—could not discover anything about the interesting Mr. Goodfellow from London, I decided it was time to investigate myself.”

“Trey, Goodfellow sends in the essays each month, timed so that they arrive within the week after yours is published in London.”

“You do not know his whereabouts?” he asked, watching for signs of subterfuge in the response.

“I do not know where he is.” Nate stood now and dragged his hand through his hair. Then, after a moment, he seemed much more confident. “You should know that I support the position behind the essays.”

“I am not completely surprised by that. You always did have a leaning to the liberal side of the aisle.”

Nate stared at him. “As did you, if I remember correctly. When did you accept your father’s politics?”

About the time I began accepting his money, David was ready to admit, but he held the words inside. No need to give the man who was placing his own strategies in danger too much ammunition for the battles to come. David just lifted his head and met Nate’s gaze, conveying the message nonetheless.

“Politics aside, it is the manner in which you’ve pursued your aims that most alarms me. After all, I identified myself from the first word to the latest. Remember also, your Mr. Goodfellow attacked first.”

David watched as Nate drank the rest of his whisky in one gulp. Was he hiding something or simply uncomfortable with his part in embarrassing an old friend?

“Goodfellow fights for a good and worthwhile cause, Trey. I will not force his efforts from the forefront of discussion.”

David stood and walked to the window, peering along the drive leading to the house. Being on the outskirts of Edinburgh, the separate house afforded him a measure of privacy that staying closer would not. Finishing his own whisky, he shook his head. “I am not asking for that, Nate. I do not mind a fight.” He smiled. “As a matter of fact, I relish the challenge of pitting oneself against a worthy adversary. But the methods of this Mr. Goodfellow are what have me riled.”

Since he privately supported the same causes that his opponent advocated, David hoped the discussion could continue. But the tone of the latest had brought out the worst in his father’s circle and that would mean trouble—for him if he did not win the argument and for the ones behind the attacks. The Marquess of Dursby would not endure having his heir’s reputation and his family’s name embarrassed on an ongoing basis. Hell, his father did not allow it for a single incidence, hence the secrecy of his own actions and causes.

“I can no more stop Mr. Goodfellow than I could stop the tides, Trey.” Nate stood as well and shrugged. “I will attempt to argue for a lessening of hostilities, if that will suffice?”

David thought to argue, but hesitated. Staring out the window, he considered the offer, for it sounded sincere and well-meaning. Crossing his arms over his chest, he let the draperies drop back into place and turned to face Nathaniel.

David certainly understood the business situation at work here—the Gazette was more popular now that the feud had begun than before. As its publisher, Nate would face financial difficulties, if not ruin, if he pulled the essays. A more civil battle would be a step. He had no doubt that he could prevail as long as a certain level of decorum was maintained. If the strength of his arguments did not sway many, the weight of his position in society and the wealth behind it would. Knowing the realities of the world, he did not doubt it for a moment.

There was only one thing that stopped his immediate agreement with the terms offered. His essay would most likely arrive in Edinburgh by the day after tomorrow and he suspected that it would not calm the rough waters. Indeed, now that he thought on the tone and wording of his piece, he knew it would stir up more of a response. He’d risen to the insults and issued his own.

“Communicate with Mr. Goodfellow through whatever means you employ to do so and let your ghostly contributor know that Lord Treybourne agrees.”

Part of him tensed inside, readily acknowledging the stretching of the truth in his words. There would be time to explain that his essay had already been submitted and in print before this discussion. He admitted in that moment that he would have to allow one more contentious exchange before they stopped.

“So, do you return to London now?” Nate asked. The unasked but clearly heard rest of the question was before anyone realizes you are here under an assumed name.

David’s efforts at remaining undetected and unrecognized had been a success, but the longer he stayed and the more he went about in public, the more the chance that he would be exposed. Still, there was nothing ignoble about discreetly searching out one’s foe to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Truly not.

“Actually, Ellerton is waiting for my arrival at our hunting box. I had thought a short holiday would be in order since there is time before Parliament is called to session in October.”

“You still run with the same crowd then?” Nate smiled, obviously contemplating some of their more adventurous escapades at the university. “Ellerton and Hillgrove?”

“The same, although we behave in a much more circumspect manner now that we are older and wiser.” David laughed now. It had only been seven years since their last meeting, not a lifetime, and yet he’d changed so much he knew Nate would be shocked at the extent of it. “Perhaps we are simply older.”

“And none of you have fallen into the parson’s mousetrap?” Nate asked. The frown that had lived on his forehead disappeared as their topic turned to something more pleasant.

“The pressure is growing, but none of us have tossed the handkerchief yet. And it would appear that you have not? How does your father abide you remaining in the bachelor status?”

“I confess that there is someone, but the lady shows no sign of accepting my offer.”

The frown was back and David suspected that the expression on Nathaniel’s face bespoke of his own surprise that he had admitted to such. David held his tongue and did not ask, for he was certain that Miss Fairchild was the object of Nate’s affection and intentions. His own surprise was that she would have turned Nate down, for his title and properties alone made him a marriage target. However, knowing almost nothing about her other than her profession and that a connection existed between her and his friend, he hesitated to guess at the reasons.

At that moment, Harley knocked and announced that their meal was ready. It was a welcomed respite for David, for he did not comprehend what to say or how or if he should reveal his plans for the following morning and his visit to the castle with Miss Fairchild. It was a simple sightseeing excursion; one that would be appropriately chaperoned so no question of propriety could be raised.

As the flavor-filled aroma of food drew them into the dining room, David decided that in a matter such as this one, it would be better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission. Ever a careful fellow, he also decided to wait and determine if he needed to do either after his morning with the lovely Miss Fairchild.

Chapter Seven

“Julia, do not make me regret that I have granted you a morning of leisure from your studies.”

Anna tried to sound stern, but the effort was lost with one glance at her sister’s excited face. Usually at work with her tutor or at some task, Julia met her request to accompany Anna and Mr. Archer to the Castle with an unconcealed enthusiasm. Now, trying to draw some of that excitement under control, Anna frowned and pointed to her sister’s gloves on the desk.

“A lady always wears her gloves on an outing, Julia.”

Julia’s reaction resembled that of a child rather than the young woman she was soon to be. At twelve years of age, she had mastered many social skills but still lacked others. Reaching over and tucking an errant strand of hair under her bonnet, Anna hoped her sister would always keep that bright enthusiasm for life within her.

Something she’d not been able to do since shouldering the burdens of caring for her ailing mother and young sister at the age of eighteen. Something obliterated by the realities she faced, first in service as a governess and tutor and then in dealing with the women so much in need. Anna smiled as Julia pulled on her gloves and adjusted them into place.

The door to the office opened and Anna took a deep breath. What would her sister’s reaction to Mr. Archer be? How would the gentleman act in response to her sister’s presence as a companion? The usual custom was to have an older woman or family member to oversee such an excursion, but Anna knew that Julia would enjoy the visit to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland…again.

Turning, she faced him. The sunbeams that raced ahead of him into the doorway obscured his face from her, but manifested his muscular build and height. After closing the door, Mr. Archer removed his hat and bowed to her.

“Miss Fairchild, a pleasure to see you this morning.”

It was the polite thing to say, however, the words trickled into her heart. Sincerity permeated his voice and it was at moments like this that she wondered how he could be so caustic at other times. Well, the time had arrived to present her sister. Surely, it would reveal his true manners…or not.

“Good morning to you, Mr. Archer. May I present—” Anna stepped aside and allowed Julia to come forward “—my sister, Julia Fairchild.”

Pride coursed through her as Julia walked to Mr. Archer and did her prettiest curtsy. Anna could see his face as Julia dipped and it stunned her into speechlessness.

The first sign of any true softness covered it and—surely, she could not be seeing this—his eyes appeared to tear up as he bowed to her sister. His mouth tightened as though he struggled against the words trying to escape and his forehead gathered above those glistening eyes as he listened to Julia’s greeting.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Julia’s voice still held the lightness of tone of a girl, but her manners were impeccable. “I thank you for including me in your visit to the Castle.”

Crumbling was the word that best described what happened to his face as she watched him greet Julia. If she had glanced away at that instant, she would have missed the entire metamorphosis. His entire countenance seemed to shatter and then, a moment later, he regained control and the gentleman was back, securely in place. He cleared his throat and bowed over her sister’s hand. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Julia.”

Mr. Archer nodded at her and tugged on the door’s knob to open it. “The carriage and the Crown Jewels await us, ladies. If you please.”

Anna said nothing but continued to observe his now-guarded expression as Julia did not cease her chatter—not on the sidewalk, not as she climbed into the carriage and not even as the driver guided them into the street and toward Princes Street. When Mr. Archer did not intervene as they turned toward Queensferry Road and the alternate route to the Castle’s gate, she took pity on him and interrupted.

“Julia, please sit quietly for now and allow Mr. Archer to enjoy the ride to the esplanade.” Julia slanted her a mutinous glare, threatening to misbehave, but she must have thought better of it for she did slide back and sit quietly then.

“It is quite all right, Miss Fairchild. Miss Julia told me more about the Honours of Scotland in those few minutes than I could have learned with hours of research.” She met his gaze and found a warmth there she’d not seen before. “She reminds me in many ways of my own younger sister.”

“You have a sister, sir? I did not know. How old is she?”

He looked away for a second, the movement hidden by hitting a bump in the road and the resettling of the carriage. When he next glanced back, Anna could see how affected he was over his admission. But why?

“Amelia would be reaching the thirteenth anniversary of her birth this coming November…if she lived.”

His words were halting and rough, the pain in his voice evident to anyone listening. It was apparent now that her idea to bring her sister was clearly not a good one. Her only defense was ignorance and she hated that. Without hesitating, she reached over and placed her fingers on his hand. Even through two layers of gloves, the heat of him seeped into her.

“My apologies, sir. I would not have—” she glanced at Julia and then at him “—done so if I had known it would cause you pain.”

Something passed between them in that instant. Something essential and wanting. Something caring and personal. Anna felt it and shivered at the intensity of his gaze. She’d seen that look before, however, this time it was not about bullying or intimidation. This emotion shot through her heart and she fought the urge to take him in her arms and offer him the comfort she knew somehow he’d been denied over his loss.

She lived for her sister. Every decision Anna had faced and made held Julia’s survival and well-being as the most important issue. What would her life be like without Julia? How would she have continued without her? Her heart broke over even the contemplation of a loss such as Mr. Archer’s. It was only Julia’s voice that broke into the silent connection between them, and Anna removed her hand from his.

“Anna, Mr. Archer, look! I read that Robert the Bruce’s men climbed that wall to infiltrate the Castle and take control of it.”

Julia pointed to the sheer wall of volcanic rock that shot upwards from the side of the road they traversed until the edge of it could not be seen from their position. Craggy, utterly steep and uneven, Anna could not imagine attempting a climb up such a wall and surviving it. Even living in the Castle’s very shadow, she was continually amazed over its impressive presence and its breathtaking vistas, both from below and on top of its heights.

“It was the only way into such a fortress,” he said. “The Earl of Moray used guile and bribery to find a weakness.”

“You know the story then, Mr. Archer?” Julia asked. Although her sister was quite the student of their land’s history, sharing that knowledge in too much of an enthusiastic manner could annoy and tire most. “Moray was jealous of the Black Douglas’s accomplishments at Roxburgh and vowed to best him in the service of the Bruce,” Julia continued.

Was her sister destined to become the confirmed bluestocking as she was? Her education contained too high a concentration on literature and the sciences and not enough on topical issues from the sound of their conversation. About to interrupt again, Anna found herself surprised when Mr. Archer continued the topic and pointed a few places out on the rocks above them.

“Ah, but love won the day, or rather, the night,” he replied. “Can you see that small indentation there, on the right?”

Anna followed the direction of his hand and found the place he indicated by his description. Julia, her eyes alight in wonder that someone else shared her passion for the Castle, turned her whole body and leaned back to look. “I see it,” she answered.

“That is where a local young man whose father worked inside hid a rope ladder. When the man wanted to visit the young woman he loved who lived below—” Mr. Archer’s hand pointed to the row of streets they approached from the northwest “—he would use the ladder to climb down and then return before dawn.” His voice deepened and became more theatrical as he revealed the story to his audience.

A sigh escaped from Julia and Anna did not know if it were one of gratitude for a kindred soul with an avid interest in the history of Scotland or an awakening of some romantic longing in her sister. Either one disturbed Anna for its ramifications it meant.

“Moray’s gold incited him to break his vow of secrecy and reveal its existence,” he continued. Miss Julia was enthralled, as he had been, on hearing the tale. David realized that she probably knew the details better than him, but she did not interrupt once.

His heart had fallen to pieces at the sight of this girl when presented by her older sister. Of all the possibilities, David never expected this when Miss Fairchild promised a companion for their morning jaunt. One look at Julia’s youthful smile, polite manners and exuberance and it was as though his late sister Amelia stood before him once more. Even now, he forced the words out and tried not to stare at her.

Until that moment, he did not comprehend how much he’d missed Amelia. Although much younger than he and separated by their years and gender, he had a great tenderness for her and followed her activities and growth with interest. Her death had been the catalyst for so many family changes, not the least of which was his mother’s outlook and behavior and his own. Now, faced with the vitality that mirrored what he remembered of her, David grabbed hold and threw himself into it.

“Thus ensuring the Bruce would win the Castle.”

He finished revealing what he knew and watched the differing expressions on both lovely faces—the older sister looked ready to shush the younger, but that one looked enraptured. They had the same eyes, though different shades of brown—one the color of dark amber and the other the hue of rich coffee. Although covered by bonnets, he suspected that their auburn hair would curl around their cheeks in the same manner. Much as it had done when he discovered Miss Fairchild’s…Anna’s…hand on his in a gesture of sympathy, his heart warmed as he gazed on these two beauties.

“Bravo, Mr. Archer! Scarcely do I know another so well-versed in the story,” the younger Miss Fairchild said. “I am surprised, for you are a visitor to the city, yet you know it well.”

He laughed in spite of himself, thoroughly enjoying the situation after expecting disaster the first few minutes. Miss Fairchild relaxed back against the cushions and listened as he exchanged more information and tidbits with Miss Julia. Soon, they passed the Grassmarket area and arrived on Castle Hill. The driver was experienced at the steep climb, and in a short time they alighted at the gate.

After another shorter ride to Crown Square at the top of the Castle in a cart pulled by short, stocky workhorses, David assisted the two women out onto the cobblestones. With the deftness of one who had been there before, Miss Julia guided them to the door of the Crown Room and, with the approval of the guard, led them in.

Although the jeweled crown, scepter and sword were the centerpiece of the display, several other royal emblems and robes were scattered around the chamber for visitors to examine. But Miss Julia wasted no time on those, heading straightaway for the cabinet that held the most important items in the room.

“Have you seen them before, Mr. Archer?” she whispered. Her sister smiled as though amused by the awed tone from someone whom he suspected did not customarily observe silence or even quiet in most circumstances. “Come closer,” the little general directed.

David noticed that Miss Fairchild stood back so he approached and offered her his arm, drawing her with him to the display cabinet. “I confess it is my first time, Miss Julia. Although I have read extensively about them and how Mr. Scott discovered them here in a box in February past.” Drawing her closer, he led the elder sister to a better viewing position.

In spite of the early hour, the chamber was crowded with others inspecting some of the oldest and most valuable jewels in all the world. David weaved around several people and brought Miss Fairchild to her sister’s side.

Impressed as he was by the jewels and their splendor, he found himself enticed and attracted by the woman at his side. That she cared about her sister was clear to anyone with eyes, but there was so much more to it. And even more he wanted to know about her.

David escorted them to each of the cases and joined in with Miss Julia in exchanging bits of information about each one. She knew why there was a bend in the sword; he knew when it happened. She knew the names of the various jewels in the crown; he knew their weight and size. It became a fun game of tit for tat, and soon they’d exhausted their store on trivial facts.

Through it all, Miss Fairchild laughed and asked questions, goading the two competitors along and making him forget, nearly, about his sister. He could see where Miss Julia got such a quick wit and strong mind. It was as they left the Crown Room and ambled along the path to the overlook with Miss Julia skipping ahead that curiosity finally got the best of him.

“Tell me of your family, Miss Fairchild. Other than Miss Julia, are there more sisters or perhaps a brother?” The hesitation in her step lasted only a second, but he noticed it. “If that is too personal a question, I apologize.”

David guided her to the wall so that they could see the expanse of the New Town before them. Construction moved now at an alarming rate after decades of near standstill. Soon, the buildings and homes would spread north of the city to the sea. When they stopped, she turned to him.

“Not too personal, Mr. Archer, just not interesting. There is no one other than Julia and me. My parents died a few years ago—my father, Sir Donald Fairchild, first, then my mother.” She paused and glanced at him. “We live with my mother’s sister, my dear Aunt Euphemia, across the Water of Leith near the new area in Stockbridge.” He followed her arm and finger as she pointed out the new area, north and west of the New Town.

“I thought perhaps there was a family connection with Nathaniel.”

“None. My connection to him is through his sister, Clarinda. Do you know her?” She began walking away and he strode along beside her. Miss Julia was still several paces away.

“I do not. Although I have heard that she is in town with her husband for their annual visit.”

She sighed then. A simple, soft exhalation of air from the lungs, and yet the sound of it made his nerves sing. He wanted to move closer to feel that breath as it left her mouth. David cleared his throat instead.

“I understand that her visits home since her marriage are limited, but it does not stop me from missing her and her company when she is not here.”

She’d gifted him with a confidence, he understood that much. And at the same time, given him much more knowledge and insight into her life and her character. His visit to Edinburgh had been only for seeing to one task, and finding an attractive, unmarried young woman was not it. Given even that admission, David decided that enjoying the company of Miss Fairchild would help him bide the time until his departure. A departure that appeared closer now that an agreement had been reached.

“Why do you not visit her then? Will her husband not permit it?” Nathaniel spoke highly of Lord MacLerie as his sister’s husband. He doubted Nate would have approved of a cruel or heartless man.

“I fear that visiting her is not a possibility, Mr. Archer, no matter how much I would desire to do such a thing.” A meaningful glance at her younger sister told much about her reasons for not traveling to see her friend.

“Ah, I see. Family responsibilities. A burden many of us carry, Miss Fairchild. But with those added to your teaching duties, I suspect there is not much time for leisure.”

From his surveillance as well as the information provided by Keys and his men, David knew her schedule as well as her places of employment. Nothing was amiss in her life, but neither was there time or opportunity to enjoy all the good things life had to offer. Well, life offered it if you had an income that made employment unnecessary and unwanted.