Not wanting to cause further fuss, Elisa ordered Mary Ann be taken away. “Let her be guarded until we can get to the bottom of this issue,” she ordered as two male servants came forward.
“Take her to her room and do not hurt her,” Thomas added. Elisa was bewildered at his request but he did not care. “I will not have a loyal servant be punished until proven guilty.”
When Mary Ann looked at the servants that came forward, she was pleased to see James among them.
“Let’s go now,” he whispered to her.
She began to walk away slowly, trying hard not to look back at Thomas but he spoke.
“Attend to all her needs until we have the time to deal with this,” he called after them.
They were about to exit the door when Rebecca ordered one of her servants to follow them too. Thomas didn’t bother to disagree with this.
“Thomas,” Mary Ann murmured, but he didn’t say a thing. Instead he pulled her toward a small vase which he dragged to its side to give way to door that blended in with the walls around.
Still holding her, Thomas pulled her inside as the wall closed up.
“I cannot see a single thing,” she said but she sounded breathless, relieved almost as Thomas pulled her into his arms.
“I am sorry for what happened earlier,” he mumbled into her hair. “I didn’t mean to cause you this much trouble, or any trouble at all.”
“That’s thoughtful,” she let out. “But I agreed to help you and I am happy to, in spite of all this. We need to be fast, however. Rebecca’s servant reports to her every hour.”
“How are you?” he asked. Even in the darkness, she could see the genuine concern in his eyes.
“I feel relieved that I was not thrown in the dungeon,” she told him honestly.
While she was not happy about what happened to her that morning, staying locked in the room seemed did not see so bad. She knew very well that Thomas would do all he could to clear this issue.
Now at night, she was more than eager to share what she had learned in Rebecca’s room with Thomas.
“Thomas,” Mary Ann called.
She pulled away and began to explain all she knew. Thomas looked fascinated as she spoke but he didn’t stop her once, listening intently.
“The document showed Phillip Egertone receiving a large sum of money from a business deal twenty–five years ago,” she finally let out.
“Does it also reveal what exactly that deal entailed?” Thomas asked. They were already making their way down the secret passageway. Mary Ann hadn’t a clue where they were headed, but she felt safe in Thomas’ presence, content to have him lead.
“No, there is no record of it. Certainly none that I could find. Could it mean he inherited the money?” she inquired.
“There is only one way to find out,” Thomas told her.
Mary Ann turned toward him with a confused frown. “Have you found a way to make her reveal the truth?” she asked.
Thomas shook his head and that made Mary Ann even more curious.
“I am certain Rebecca will not tell me anything about her family. She’s made that obvious through her actions. So, I will need to investigate on my own.”
“So, you will be going to the business?” she questioned again in a bid to be clear.
“Exactly, My Love. That is the only way.”
Mary Ann nodded in thought. Thomas was right after all. It would greatly increase the chance of actually seeing someone who might be able to help.
“I wish I could go with you,” she stated as she found her way back into Thomas’ embrace.
“I wish for nothing more as well, but—”
“I know, Thomas,” she cut in gently, “just be safe and come back to me soon.”
As if on cue, they pulled away from each other, but their eyes were locked.
“I will and when I do, I will make sure to have this dealt with so that we no longer need to worry.”
We. For most her life, Mary Ann had always relied on herself. It felt odd now, to have someone she could depend on. Someone who wanted to lean on her. His problems were hers and hers were his. It was an unusual feeling but one Mary Ann didn’t think she could live without anymore.
By the time they finished talking, they had reached another end of the passage. Thomas opened it to check if there was anyone there.
“I will see you soon?” Mary Ann asked before stepping out.
“You will be the first to know when I’m back,” he promised. “And James will be here in the meantime to keep you safe.”
Their lips touched once again and, for a moment, everything was right in Mary Ann’s bleak world. Though her heartbeat sped up as she longed for more, Mary Ann was content to accept this gentle kiss. Deep down, she wanted to be on a bed naked with Thomas, without having to be scared or worried about who might see them together. She wanted to be by his side. Just as he had accepted her, she wanted to show the world that she had accepted him.
She walked into the stable just as Thomas professed his love to meet James waiting for her outside.
I love you too, Thomas. With all my heart.
She knew Thomas was still staring at her but she dared not turn to look. If she did, she wouldn’t trust herself not to go back to his embrace. So, she trudged farther away. Finally, she heard the door creak shut.
She thanked James for arranging the meeting and he only smiled in return. As she got closer to her room, she said a prayer for herself then the safe and quick return of Thomas.
Chapter 27
A huge business deal that gave him more money? From who? What did the deal entail?
Thomas had tried to rationalize what he had just heard from Mary Ann but it only led to one conclusion. Inheritance.
But what inheritance? And from who?
He had decided to make haste. The sun was still out in its full glory and he knew if he moved quickly, he would be able to get to Phillip’s company and back before the sundown. He stayed in the secret passage until he heard two taps on the wall, in quick succession. It was the signal he had given James to alert him when he had returned. He left the secret passage to meet eye to eye with James.
“Your Grace,” James bowed. If he had any questions, James kept them to himself. Thomas was grateful for it. He didn’t have the time to explain much.
“We need to hurry,” he told him as he began to ascend the stairs to his bedchamber. “There is something I need to do.”
More questions bombarded his mind but Thomas tried not to linger much on it. It was only making him agitated and that was the last thing he needed. A focused mind was what would do him well right now.
“Send me, Your Grace,” James offered. “I will do whatever I can to be of help.”
He walked closely behind him and when Thomas stopped abruptly, he almost ran into him.
“No, James,” Thomas declined with a shake of his head. “Some things are meant to be done by oneself.”
He was about to open the door to his room when he stopped again.
“On the contrary, you can help,” he corrected, “but not in the way you meant before.”
A mischievous smile stretched across his face. James blinked in confusion. “What is that, Your Grace?” he asked.
James opened the door for Thomas and Thomas didn’t talk until the door was shut.
“I will be going on a trip to attend to some business,” he began. James listened as Thomas spoke.
“Should I get the horses ready?” James later asked having realized Thomas wasn’t talking again.
“No, prepare only a single horse,” he corrected. “That is all I will need.”
He saw the protest in James’ eyes and expected him to voice it. But he said nothing.
“We have a guest and I do not want her to suspect anything out of place. So, instead of following me, you will be here to ensure that she stays put. Say anything you can that will not make her angry or worried.”
“As you wish, Your Grace,” James said,
bowing.
“You need not worry,” Thomas said in a light tone. “I will be back by sunset. Where did I say I will be going?”
James paused to think before he spoke.
“To fetch Lady Rebecca a few things she might want to have for the wedding. Perhaps also a gift to atone for the atrocity of one of your servants.”
Thomas was amazed at how fast he was able to cook up that lie but he liked it. He was about to let him prepare his horse when he thought of an idea.
“Tell her it’s meant to be a surprise. I do not want her to bother me with questions when I’m back.”
Thomas nodded, exiting the room without a word. He made his way back to his room to prepare himself for his task. He wore a black coat that had an insignia of an eagle woven on the back side, and a dark cravat was tucked into a pristine white shirt. In a couple of minutes, he was done dressing with his sheath slung at his side. It was rather garish to bring a weapon along with him like this, but Thomas wanted them to know he was serious.
He hurried out to meet James holding the horse for him just outside the stable. He thanked him as he climbed on the horse, then with just a kick, he was gone.
The journey to Phillip’s business was nothing that he could foresee. The narrow serpentine road was hard enough to navigate, but then he had to ride past the crowded road with care of not hitting anyone. After about an hour of trying, the road led to a much wider path. He lost time because of this but the sun was still shining its brightest when he got there.
The establishment was huge with dark smoke coming out four chimneys. He provided his name and pointed out he was Rebecca’s husband-to-be. This seemed to pave way for him when he got there and in no time, he began looking around for someone that might have a story to tell.
“Good day!” he greeted two young men who were taking a sip from their ale.
“Good day to you, good sir,” one greeted while the other ignored his existence.
“May I ask how long you have been working here?” Thomas asked.
“For ten years,” the one that replied his greeting told him. “What do you want?” he asked concerned.
“Or is there someone you are lookin’ for?” the second one spoke at last, sipping from his ale again before belching loudly. “Pardon me, mate.”
“I am in search of the person that occupied this place before the new owner; the Egertones. Do you know where I might be able to find him?” Thomas asked keeping his temper and disgust in check.
“Yes, Marty can point you the way,” the ill-mannered worker replied sharply, taking over the conversation from this counterpart.
“Thank you,” Thomas told him, feigning a smile.
“Sure, will do. But my memory is a little bit foggy from the ale,” Marty simpered holding his hand high to Thomas’ face.
Thomas was already prepared for this so he dug into his pocketbook and withdrew a few pence for the man. Before he could hand the money over, the other man replied.
“Old man Oliver has been here for as long as this business has existed,” he blurted out.
Marty looked at him with hardened face and he growled as if ready to pounce on him. Thomas looked in the direction the worker was pointing, returning his money to its rightful place.
“You will find him there,” he went on, ignoring the glares from his friend. “He is the oldest here. You won’t miss him.”
Thomas appreciated his kindness and took out money. He gave the nice worker a much-larger sum than he would have the rude one. He rushed off to the direction he was shown. True to what was said, he met Oliver sitting on a chair and smoking a cheap tobacco.
He turned to Thomas upon noticing his presence. He puffed out a smoke that covered his oblong face for a moment. When the smoke receded, the man spoke in a gruff loud voice.
“Why do you sneak up on an old man like that?” he complained.
Oliver was a crabby man, who was visibly annoyed by Thomas’ presence. Thomas conveniently left out he was a Duke when he introduced himself.
“I can smell businessmen from miles away and you sure smell like one,” the man commented before laughing out loud, clearly enjoying his smart remark.
Thomas wondered how he could make him speak. He remembered grumpy Marty demanding money but decided to ask him anyway. When he asked a couple of questions, Oliver said something similar to what he was told by the rude man.
“You know what? For an old man like me, memory can be a little foggy. Do you have anything that might be able to jog it?” he asked, lifting a brow.
Thomas didn’t hesitate. He brought out a small stipend for the old man which he happily collected.
“What do you need?” the man asked after inserting the money safely in his pocket.
“How long have you been working here, Oliver?” he questioned, repeating the title he had used.
At that second, Oliver’s face turned hard and his expression showed fury.
“Apologies, my good man. My memory is still a little foggy,” Oliver lifted an expectant brow at him.
Thomas nearly sighed. “I do not have the time—”
The old man suddenly burst out laughing, “I am just joking with you, mate.”
Thomas chuckled along with him but quickly sobered up to show how serious he was.
Oliver caught the look and quieted down as well before saying, “I’ve been here for three-decades-and-a-half, if my memory serves me right,” he paused to think then spoke again, “it does.”
Is the time right to ask the questions I came here for?
Thomas thought about this for a split second before deciding to ask about the previous owner.
“What made you think there was this business longer than that, Sir?” Oliver asked, obviously not liking the line of question.
Thomas apologized before asking him how the business started.
“This was a lost cause years ago, I tell you,” he looked around to be certain there were alone, “you are no tattletale, are you?”
Thomas shook his head and moved closer to the man, he took a seat beside him and listen with rapt attention as the man spoke.
“To tell you the truth,” Oliver let out, “this business has been existing long before the time I was employed. But I am the only left around here who knew the previous owner. If you ask other people or even dare to tell them, they wouldn’t know a thing.”
Thomas nodded, silently urging him to continue.
“You sure you won’t expose what I am about to tell you to another soul?” he asked again, his confidence replaced with a fear he hadn’t seen before.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you.” he assured him.
Oliver was quiet and then he launched into the story with high enthusiasm.
“Peter was a good man, had a lovely business idea and even though it wasn’t looking like it at the moment, I was confident that he would grow the business to be one of the best in the country.”
“Phillip, you mean?” Thomas corrected, thinking the man was mistaken.
“No, boy. I might be old but my brain works fine. This establishment was Peter’s, not Phillip’s.”
The man must have seen the perplexed and bewildered look on Thomas’ face.
“Told ya’ you won’t believe the story I’ve got to say, but it’s the truth.”
“Oh! I see,” he uttered trying to sound convincing.
“All right then, I just told you the truth.”
“I do believe your story,” Thomas uttered. He tried not to sound doubtful as he feared it might discourage Oliver.
“Peter was at the other end of the rope Phillip was hanging on. He was caring, hardworking and when he walked around the factory, he called us all by name. He even asked about our family.” He paused to wipe off a tiny thread of tears of his face.
“So, where is he now?”
“Oh! Bless his soul,” the man uttered, visibly shaken, “he perished with his whole family twenty-five years ago.”
Twenty-five years ago? What
exactly happened twenty-five years ago and why is it reoccurring?
“So, Phillip inherited the business after their death?” Thomas asked, still trying to fully grasp the situation.
“They are not even related as far as I know,” the man explained. “That bastard took over the business even before they buried Peter, his wife and their poor stunted child.”
A Fiery Duchess for the Dashing Duke: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 21