“It’s like old times, don’t you think?” Gabe was in high spirits. “You and I breaking all the rules.”
“Just so long as you don’t break our necks, or the horses’ legs.”
“The horses are perfectly safe.” Gabe winked at her. “Not so sure about our necks, though.”
Once again he flashed the mischievous grin that had already addled the senses of more than one young lady of her acquaintance. Gabriel, so close to her in age, had inherited the rugged good looks enjoyed by their two older brothers. He appeared indifferent to his appearance though, and unaware of the effect it had on the females he encountered. He’d avoided much of society until now, using his tenure at Cambridge as an excuse. He would graduate this summer, leaving him with no valid reason to duck his obligations. Even so, in spite of the arctic conditions, his exuberant mood at escaping the confines of the Hall for a few hours mirrored her own.
Flick would never admit it, but in spite of being so cold, she rather enjoyed travelling at this reckless speed and never seriously doubted Gabe’s ability to keep them safe.
She shot him a wry look. “Glad to see that your priorities haven’t changed.”
“It’s only ten miles to Nathbone’s estate. We’ll be there before you know it.”
It would take another hour at least. If she arrived in one piece and wasn’t frozen to death, then she needed to be alert for any opportunity to question Nathbone alone. The problem was, she had no idea what questions to ask without seeming too obvious. She ought to have consulted Darius but there had been no opportunity for that.
Come to that, there had been no time to talk to him about anything except trivialities these past few days. It was exceedingly vexatious and she was quite out of charity with him. Had he really wished it, she felt sure he could have wangled a brief interlude alone with her. He might not wish to discuss the case but she could tell by the way he looked at her with a combination of frustration and barely concealed desire that he was as dissatisfied by their enforced estrangement as she was.
“What do you make of our uncle, staying for so long and being almost sociable?” Gabe asked.
“Staying at all, more to the point. When did he last come to the Hall?”
“Do you imagine his concern for his children persuaded him away from home?”
“Possibly, but I think Leah must take a lot of the credit. She knew Hal wanted his grace to visit and so she somehow managed to persuade him.”
“Well, I’m glad she did.”
“Yes, so am I. I do rather like him, in spite of his sharp tongue. When I get old, I intend to be even ruder to people than he is. Everyone will forgive me because of my age and will label me as eccentric.”
“What do you mean, when you get old?” Gabe rolled his eyes. “You pretty much say and do as you please already.”
“Nonsense!” Flick inverted her chin. “I’m the epitome of decorum.”
“Of course you are.” Gabe chuckled. “What do you think the duke’s children will be like? What relation are they to us anyway?”
Gabriel looked, not at her but at one of the horse’s ears as he spoke. Flick recognised the gesture. When they were children, if something bothered him he would never look directly at the person he addressed. He was driving, but that hadn’t stopped him from looking at her rather than the road up until that point. Gabriel was easygoing and tolerant and hadn’t yet reached the age where he allowed anything to affect his good humour for long—unless one of his precious horses was ailing, of course. Flick was more than a year younger than Gabe but instinctively understood that aspect of his character because everyone knew that females matured more quickly.
“I have no idea. Cousins, I suppose. Anyway, I look forward to meeting them. It ought to be interesting. I don’t much envy them their position, though. Being the duke’s by-blows, I mean. All right, so he acknowledges them, but it still must be hard.”
“Do you imagine that they will be like our half-siblings?”
Flick laughed. “Is that all you’re worried about?”
“All, you call it?” Gabe shuddered. “The last time I saw Julia she threw a tantrum because I wouldn’t let her near a new foal. I took not the slightest bit of notice which, of course, only made matters worse because her tantrums always result in her getting her own way. Later that day she fell over and grazed her knee. She told her mother I’d pushed her, and I was the one forced to apologise.” Gabe was so indignant at the memory that Flick laughed aloud. “You might well laugh but I’m sure she tripped deliberately, just to cause trouble for me.”
“That was some years ago. Perhaps she’s improved,” Flick suggested without much conviction in her voice.
“That I doubt. Her mother continues to indulge her every whim.” Gabe laughed. “Anyway, I had the final word.”
“What did you do?”
“I put an earthworm in her bed. You could hear her screams all over the house when she found it.”
Flick almost choked with laughter. “I do remember some great commotion. It wasn’t kind of you, Gabe.”
“It was less than she deserved.”
“Well, to answer your question about our uncle’s children, I’m sure they won’t have been ruined. Can you imagine his grace indulging an unruly child?”
Gabe’s countenance cleared. “No, you have a point there. It’s just that when I finish at Cambridge, I’ll be at the Hall all the time.”
“It’s a large place, Gabe. I’m sure they won’t get in your way or bother your beloved horses. Just think how lonely Amelia must be, stuck in that huge castle with no one of her own age to bear her company.” Flick’s gentle heart overflowed with sympathy. “We ought to do what we can to make them feel welcome.”
“Of course you’re right. I was being selfish.”
“What has occurred between you and Beth, if it’s not an indelicate question?” Flick asked after they’d travelled another mile or so in silence.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t try to gull me, Gabe. You and she were the very best of friends when you first made her acquaintance. I thought perhaps—”
“She’s my sister now,” Gabe said shortly.
“Only by marriage.”
Gabe shook his head. “Nothing happened. I still value her friendship—”
“But?” Flick prompted when his words stalled.
Gabe sighed. “I’m still too young to think along the lines that you’re thinking along for me. I dare say you and Darius will—”
“Will what?”
“Get married, of course. Hasn’t that been your ambition for years now?”
“You’re not the only one entitled to privacy,” she said sharply.
“Sorry, squirt, I didn’t mean to touch a sore spot. However, my point is that you might be entirely happy to settle down with the rest of your life mapped out in front of you, and good luck to you. Darius is a fine chap and one of the few men in the country who stands a chance of keeping you in line.”
“Humph!”
“It’s no good sticking your chin in the air, Flick. You know it’s true. I, however, have many things I want to do before I even consider matrimony. If I consider it. Rob shows no inclination to follow Hal’s example and Hal himself was thirty, positively ancient, before he fell victim to the parson’s mousetrap.”
“Now that you mention it, you’re right about Rob.” Flick frowned. “If he’s singled a lady out, he’s been careful to keep her away from my sight.”
Gabe laughed. “Very wise. You’d have him married off with several children by now, given the slightest encouragement. It’s how females occupy their time.”
“Only exceedingly vacuous ones.”
“I wasn’t aware of that distinction.”
“You can make fun of me all you like. I merely wish to see my brothers happy.”
“I thank you but I’m perfectly content with my life the way it is. It wouldn’t be fair to encourage expectations I’m not ready to fulfil.”
He paused. “Have I disappointed Beth? Has she said anything to you?”
“No, nothing at all, but I notice things.”
“And if there’s nothing to notice, you invent it.”
“I do not!”
“You need an occupation. Now that Leah’s among us, she’s taken over most of your responsibilities.”
“How right you are.” Flick offered her annoyingly astute brother a seraphic smile. “And so to save myself from running mad, I’ll make it my business to interfere in my brothers’ affairs from now on. That ought to keep me in things to do for years.”
Gabe treated her to a quelling glance. “I wouldn’t recommend that you try it.”
“Rob will only be satisfied with a lady who can play a good game of chess, I suppose,” she said, nibbling her frozen gloved finger in the vain hope of regaining some feeling in it. “Plus, she would need to be beautiful, that goes without being said. Hmm, that narrows the field considerably but will also make it more difficult for him to conceal his partiality if such a creature actually exists.”
“Stop it, Flick!”
“And as for you...” Flick tilted her head and pretended to consider a matter that required no consideration whatsoever. “A female who adores horses, doesn’t mind the smell of them—”
“I do not smell of horses.” Gabe smothered a hoot of laughter. “Well, not all the time.”
“Of course you don’t.” Flick conjured up another smile. “You realise that Beth is to be presented this season?” Gabe nodded somewhat curtly. “I dare say she’ll create quite a stir, particularly since Hal has settled a decent dowry on her.”
“Yes, I’m sure she will.” A brief scowl flickered across his brow, indicating he wasn’t nearly as pleased by that prospect as he tried to sound.
“That’s it, isn’t it,” Flick said triumphantly, glad she’d figured it out. “You’ll be back at Cambridge, Beth will be enjoying her season, and you don’t want her to feel she has any obligation to you because you’re not ready—”
“Right. I’m not remotely ready for all that and I wouldn’t want to hold her back.”
“Then you can’t be in love with her,” Flick said decisively. “If you were, you would be ready to settle down.”
“I’m glad we’ve established that to your satisfaction,” Gabe said, an edge to his voice.
“Have I upset you?”
The road widened and appeared frost-free.
“Hold on to your bonnet, squirt. I need to let these chaps stretch their legs.”
Flick rolled her eyes. “Who would have thought it?”
* * *
Flick hadn’t been to Nathbone Court before. She knew the viscount slightly, having danced with him once last season without being especially impressed by the figure he cut. She knew little of his family because their paths seldom crossed.
Gabe left his team in the hands of Nathbone’s head groom and took Flick’s elbow to help her over the frosty ground. James Nathbone greeted them at the front door. If he was surprised to see Flick with Gabriel then he gave no sign. He greeted Gabe as one undergraduate to another and Flick with attentive politeness.
Flick sat as close to the fire as she could manage, grateful for its rather meagre warmth in an otherwise draughty drawing room. She wrapped both hands round the cup of hot chocolate she’d requested, waiting for the cold to leave her limbs and for feeling to return to her fingers. As she did so, she watched Gabe and Nathbone fall into easy conversation—about horses, naturally.
She wasn’t any more impressed with Nathbone on this occasion than she had been when she’d danced with him. He was short—only a few inches taller than she was—and exceptionally thin, his clothes hanging inelegantly off his frame. He kept flashing nervous-seeming glances her way and she wondered what it was about her that made him so uncomfortable. She also wondered a little about the state of the Nathbone finances. The room was shabby—well overdue to be refurbished—and an air of general neglect hung about the place.
“I’m glad you were able to accompany Gabe today, Lady Felicity,” Nathbone said, remembering his manners at last and including her in the conversation.
“I wouldn’t have missed it.”
Flick treated him to a dazzling smile that made him blush. God forbid that he thought she’d come along as an excuse to see him. He’d seemed rather besotted with her last season but she thought she’d made it plain that his feelings weren’t reciprocated. Still, what other reason could she possibly have for being here? No young lady in her right mind would venture forth on a ten-mile journey in a curricle in such appalling weather. Still, no one could ever accuse her of being in her right mind. She just hoped Darius would appreciate the sacrifices she’d made in the furtherance of their investigation.
“Would have got here a lot sooner if Flick hadn’t nagged me all the time to take care,” Gabe boasted.
“I disagree. We wouldn’t have been here at all if I hadn’t sweetly suggested that you slow down a little.”
Gabe grinned at her. “Have it your way, squirt.”
“How is your sister, Mr. Nathbone?” Flick asked, turning her nose up at Gabe.
Flick knew the girl slightly because they had come out at the same time. She’d subsequently married the son of a wealthy Cit, much to society’s collective consternation. Flick now considered that she’d done so out of necessity, given the condition of the estate. No other reason would account for a well-bred young lady in her first season being permitted to marry so far beneath herself. Nathbone senior was very conscious of his position in society, even though he was seldom seen in London—the son scarcely less so. Could that be why he was so keen to cultivate Armstrong’s friendship? Either way, James Nathbone looked as though a strong gust of wind would bowl him clean off his feet. She had difficulty imagining him playing the part of highwayman but then, if he was that desperate to impress Armstrong, who could tell what escapades he might be persuaded to participate in?
“Arabella is enjoying her new situation, I believe.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Please convey my best wishes to her when next you see her.”
“I shall be sure to do that.”
“Looking forward to the final lap at Cambridge, James?” Gabe asked.
“Not in the least. Massive waste of time, if you ask me.”
Which meant that Nathbone was as intellectually challenged as he was unprepossessing. Despite his complaints about Cambridge, Gabe flourished there, as had Hal and Rob before him.
“We have to go through the motions,” Gabe said easily. “It’s expected of gentlemen in our position.”
“Which is the only reason why I stand it.”
The conversation stalled and Flick could see that they were keen to see the stallion.
“Pray, go ahead,” she said. “I shall be fine here by the fire.”
“Well, if you’re sure.” Nathbone stood with a little too much enthusiasm. “We won’t be too long.”
“Take all the time you need.”
Left alone, Flick wondered who else was in the house. There was no sign of Nathbone’s parents. If they were here, presumably the father would join the gentlemen at the stables and politeness would force the mother to entertain Flick. But no one disturbed her, nor did anyone materialize to remove the empty dishes of tea and chocolate. Such neglect would result in instant dismissal in one of Hal’s establishments.
Warm at last and feeling restless, she wandered over to the window and caught a glimpse of Gabe and Nathbone, huddled in greatcoats, watching someone putting a horse through its paces. Even at a distance, and allowing for Flick’s lack of knowledge on the subject, she could tell that the beast moved with freedom of gait and appeared to be a prime goer. Gabe, waving his hands about in an animated fashion, appeared to agree with her and she didn’t doubt that he would recommend its purchase to Hal.
The gentlemen rejoined her and Nathbone informed them that a light luncheon would be served. Given the cold conditions, Flick thoug
ht a warming meal would better suit but it appeared they were required to serve themselves from a cold collation on the sideboard in the dining room. Only one ancient servant was there to assist them. Gabe didn’t seem to notice and helped himself to ample cold cuts and potatoes. Flick, sharp set after the experience in the curricle, found the offerings unappealing and lost her appetite. No one else joined them and Flick suspected that Gabe would wish to return home as soon as they had eaten. If she was to question Nathbone, she would have to do it now, in front of Gabe.
“I was reading in the newspaper the particulars of the robberies carried out by Cuthbert and Baker. I was never more shocked to learn that gentlemen in our circle would stoop to such behaviour.” She shook her head. “Whatever can they have been thinking?”
Nathbone choked on a chicken bone and took a hasty sip of wine. “I can’t begin to imagine,” he said lamely.
Oh, I’m sure you can. “Are they not acquaintances of yours, Mr. Nathbone? Didn’t I see them in your company last season?”
“I’m gratified that my movements are of such importance to you, Lady Felicity,” he said acerbically.
“It was my first season, sir. You must make allowance for a green girl’s excitement. Everything interested me then.”
“You are close to the knaves though, aren’t you, James?” Flick could have kissed Gabe for his timely intervention. “What do you know of the matter?”
“Nothing at all.” He looked everywhere except at Gabe. “If my acquaintances took it into their heads to let off steam and it went too far, they would hardly be likely to tell me the particulars.”
“Letting off steam?” Gabe frowned. “It sounds as though they did a great deal more than that. I’m the first person to enjoy a lark but robbing innocent travellers and scaring them half out of their wits is going too far, surely?”
“I personally don’t believe they are culpable,” Nathbone said, staring at a plateful of food he’d hardly touched. “They don’t have it in them.”
“Well, we shall know soon enough. I dare say the case will soon come to trial.” Gabe looked across the table at Flick. “I say, isn’t Darius defending them?”
Botheration! “Is he?” Flick tried for an innocent expression. “I really have no idea. He doesn’t discuss his cases with me.”
Beguiling the Barrister Page 12