GypsyDukeEpub (5 page)

"Your lordship, I think highly of you, more highly than your father, to be sure. The last six months have brought great improvement to the estate…But, your father is a hard man. If he were to recover and find I went against him…I cannot afford my family to lose everything."

"I understand, though I do not believe my father will recover. I should like to put you in mind of…situations that may arise as a result of his death. Are you interested?"

"Aye. Perhaps we should inspect the fencing on the far fields. I believe Lord Newburn's steward was complaining of lost sheep."

Neither spoke until they reached the west boundary. It was quite a distance, and John mentally reviewed all that might be pertinent for Timmons to learn. When they reached the broken section of fence, John reined in his horse and faced Timmons.

"I want all the servants on the estate to be well-advanced in age. No youngsters are to be left alone at any time. My uncle…does not have respect for their person."

"You feel they might suffer harm from the man?"

John nodded. "I have plans for the harvest as well. I would ask that you keep two account books. One for my uncle's perusal, one to account for my new scheme."

"And what would that be, Lord John?"

"I want you to purchase a new strain of stock. I do not care what it is, that is not the point."

"What is the point?"

"Put up a new fence across the back of old man Burns' croft. Tell everyone it is for the new stock. Tell my Uncle it is the end of our property, that we sold the rest...whatever was not entailed. He won't remember the details from his childhood. The grounds have grown too much.

"Then I want you to build a new barn in the midst of those woods and fill it with anything we will need for the winter and a ways beyond." John glanced at Mr. Timmons, but the steward didn't appear shocked or wary. "I do not trust my uncle. He will sell everything and spend all the money, or else he will gamble it away. We could lose Somerset Park."

"I see. Do you think you can keep such a thing hidden from the tenants and your neighbors?"

John shrugged. "If the neighbors say anything to Uncle about new stock, he will likely disregard it. From his comments today, he has no interest in the running of the estate, only in its income. And the tenants…make sure everyone has a proper roof and anything else they need before my father…goes. I'm not sure what we will go through to get funds afterwards."

"It might work. There is another way we can get funds."

"Yes?"

"I have long thought Lord Raeburn is sympathetic to your…er…predicament. We could probably have his steward sell the crops we conceal…if the situation became critical."

"An excellent idea. But let us wait until we have no recourse before we involve another lord. I know it will not be convenient to carry the harvest to a distant barn. Perhaps you could invite the gypsies to help you."

"It's a calculated risk. You tell them where your hidden stores are, and they're likely to steal them. It's not as if we can keep a guard out there."

"Let us think on this, Timmons. I must get back." He looked once more at the broken stones lying near the fence. "And send someone to repair all the fencing."

They turned their horses back to the manor, again riding in silence past fields golden and ripe for harvest, through cool forests and dense trees, where they rode single file until they reached the stables.

As John prepared to dismount, Timmons called out to him. "Lord John!"

He turned.

The steward swung down from his horse and held out his hand. "Tis a good plan, your Grace. I will take care of it immediately." He bowed and walked away.

John kept a tight rein on his face, but his emotions clamored for attention. Mr. Timmons had given him his father's title and honor, and John doubted he was ready to be the next Duke of Somerset.

He rubbed a finger over his chin. Now was an ideal time to promote his idea to the one adult in the peerage who might listen to him.

Chapter 3

The stiff-necked Belfont butler opened the tall doors of the earl's study and ushered John inside. Though early in the afternoon, a fire crackled in the hearth.

John set aside his riding crop and removed his gloves. A trickle of sweat slid between his shoulder blades, and he ran a finger around his collar as much from the heat as the nervous anticipation of taking Kitty's father into his confidence. Betrayal could rise from the very person from whom he sought help.

As he reclined in a maroon wing-backed chair, he studied the earl's trophies from hunts gone by. A red fox, eternal snarl frozen on its face, pursued a brightly-plumed pheasant across the top of a bookcase. Over the desk hung the tail feathers of a blue-green peacock, fanned out in iridescent splendor. The earl had kept a small flock at one time, but their shrill cries at all hours eventually persuaded the countess to part with them. At the time, Kitty had been inconsolable.

Again and again, he studied the same fox, pheasant, and peacock. Likely, the earl did not assign much importance to his visit.

After fifteen minutes of drumming his fingers, the door opened, and John rose as the earl-a man of medium height and boundless energy, in sharp contrast to John's father-whisked through the room to his desk
and sat.

John waited, gloves tapping the side of his leg, to be acknowledged.

When the earl looked up, John noted tiny lines forked from the corners of his hazel eyes. "Seymour, always a pleasure to see you. What brings you today? Your father not taken worse, has he?"

"He is much the same, my lord. It is only a matter of time before he succumbs."

Lord Raeburn's brow furrowed. He flicked a hand at John's chair. "Pray, be seated."

John caught himself twisting the smooth leather of his riding gloves between his fingers and set them at his feet.

"Lord Raeburn, I need your help. I ask for your indulgence as I outline certain events that have given me pause…"

Kitty's father nodded his head, his features set. Was he in a receptive mood? John took a deep breath. He dare not stop now.

"You know I am inordinately fond of Kitty, and in all things desire that she prosper and that our lands prosper…My father sent for his brother to attend him in his final days. He also sought the family solicitor to make certain adjustments to his will."

He raised his eyes to Lord Raeburn, who met them with interest, his eyes glinting in the firelight as he leaned toward John. John squelched the desire to squirm under that penetrating stare.

"It has always been the considered opinion of my father and mother that my uncle is…there is no easy way for me to say this. He is a rakehell, a blight. What possessed my father to place him in charge of my inheritance, I will never know. The fever of death has surely warped Father's mind."

Earl Raeburn's brows rose so far they almost disappeared in his hair. "Are you saying when your father dies, you will not gain control of the estates until you reach your majority? I know that is customary, but I'd thought…your uncle will take control?"

"That is correct, sir. I have shown him around Somerset Park...at his command, and I can assure you, he intends to run the estate into the ground. He will sell and utilize everything we have amassed for his own dissipated pleasure."

"I see." His eyes narrowed and lips pursed. "Pray continue."

"He makes threats against the members of the staff. He makes inappropriate references to me." John threw up his hands, leaning forward. "He asked after Kitty in a most alarming manner…"

"Exactly how do you mean?"

"Sir…He threatens to harm the servants if I do not attend his wishes
in all matters..."

"The devil you say. And he is interested in Kitty?" The earl's face turned a disturbing shade of red.

"I know not for a certainty. He says many things to unhinge me." John shrugged, flopping back against his seat, a feeling of dejection overwhelming him. "I warned him, if he ever lay so much as a hand on my Kitty…"

The earl's eyebrows rose, but a slight smile tugged at his mouth. "We can take steps to prevent his association with Kitty. Do not become overwrought."

"I have already warned Kitty against coming to the estate without her ladyship in attendance. I could not be as direct as I would have liked. Kitty is so innocent she would not comprehend a monster such as that man."

"Ahem. Quite right. Well, I shall have a talk with her mother. Now about your inheritance. Have you the details of the new will?"

"Yes, sir. I will not achieve independence until I am one and twenty. The estate could well be non-existent by then."

"I agree, but what can you do?"

John paused with his eyes affixed on Lord Raeburn. "You would do me a great honor, sir, if you would assist me in protecting what will be mine and Kitty's very livelihood. It would require deception on your part. But if Kitty and I are to salvage anything, I feel I have no choice."

The earl's hand rose to trace the corner of his mouth in contemplation. "I see. You wish me to keep something from your father…and from your uncle, when he executes the will."

"Yes. I have already spoken to the estate manager." He couldn't reveal that Timmons had already agreed to assist him unless the earl became a part of their scheme. "I urged him to make what repairs are needed to the tenant cottages, the storage barns, and the fencing before my father dies. It is obvious my uncle will let the estate fall to ruin around our ears. He has an unnatural desire for fashion and no desire for that which sustains life. I have seen him partake of little food, but he is nearly always with drink. Last eve he fell down the stairs, foxed."

"But, you are what, eight and ten? Repairs will not last another three years. I'm afraid you need to take more drastic measures."

"I have a plan, your lordship, but I need your participation for success."

The earl sat back in his chair, his eyes hooded and wary. "Let us hear it. We must do something if you and Kitty…" He waited for John to speak.

"I want Mr. Timmons to build a new fence. If my uncle bothers to finish his inspection of our lands, he will be told the fence is the boundary line...that we sold the rest of the property. Within the land set aside, we build a barn for stockpiling assets away from my uncle. It should provide for the tenants and the livestock throughout the year. Should my neighbors become interested in the new fencing, they will be told it is for the introduction of new livestock.

"Now, this is where I need your participation and silence." He took a fortifying breath. "I want you to have your estate manager sell certain portions of my harvest every year and for you to keep the funds for the protection of my estate. Perhaps we could even draw up a legal document giving you the authority to make sales for me and establish a savings in the anticipation of my wedding to your daughter. In the event of my demise, you may keep the funds as a settlement for Kitty."

"What of your other estates?"

"If possible, my manager will attempt to care for the tenants on the other estates. But my ultimate purpose is to protect Somerset Park…and the London townhouse. Kitty will wish to visit London from time to time. My uncle may well lose the rest of it. I have heard of guardians who gamble away the entire estates of their wards. You must not let that happen, sir."

The Earl of Raeburn shook his head. "Seymour, it is a fine idea. I admire you, boy, but…"

John's heart lurched.

Raeburn shook his head again, then looked at John and relaxed. "There will be problems to this endeavor, but I'm sure we can work it out." He rose and held out his hand. "I give you my word as a gentlemen...I will keep our conversation in confidence. You have my approval for your plans. I suggest you start immediately with this year's harvest. All the years following may be much reduced in abundance."

John took the earl's hand, keeping his grip firm and his eyes level when the earl scrutinized him. He had done it. He had won the earl's support.

"Perhaps now we should call in my lady and discuss proper decorum for whenever your uncle is in attendance."

"Thank you, sir. That would relieve my mind greatly."

Earl Raeburn reached for a bellpull and sat to await a servant. In seconds, someone appeared at the doorway.

"Have her ladyship join me at her earliest convenience."

"I'm sorry, sir, but her ladyship departed with Mistress Kitty not many moments ago for the Somerset estate."

John leapt from his chair, knocking it backward.

The earl exploded. "Why in the world would she do that?"

"I believe, sir, that she received an invitation from Lord Bartholomew Seymour for tea and-"

John rushed for the door before the man finished his statement. The servant backed in alarm.

"Now see here, Seymour. Don't go off half-cocked. I shall ride with you. On the way, I'm sure we can invent some plausible explanation for my arrival."

John marched back and forth before the stable doors, waiting for his horse to be brought out. He waited even longer for the earl's horse to be readied.

Dark thoughts tormented him as he envisioned Kitty at the mercy of his violent uncle. What if the rotter managed to procure a moment alone with her? She would be helpless against such a man. The thought made his blood boil. He scarcely heard the earl's conversation.