Ducal Encounters 02 - With the Duke's Approval

by Wendy Soliman

  Frankie smiled. “I doubt that very much indeed.”

  “But gentlemen do.” She tilted her head, blushing as she asked Frankie a very personal question. “Did your husband?”

  “Goodness no. Gerald was many things, not all of them nice, but he most definitely did not look to other women.”

  “It must have been very reassuring to have so much confidence in your husband’s love.”

  Frankie looked down at her folded hands, varying shades of irritation and dismay etched in her expression. “Gerald and I understood one another very well indeed,” she said in a tone that discouraged further questions on the subject. Anna sensed she had touched a nerve and regretted discomposing her friend.

  “There is so much more to worry about when considering matrimony than I had at first realised.” Anna sighed. “I mean, when we came out, every single girl had one subject and one subject only on her mind. And that subject was snaring a rich and charming husband. None of us were warned of all the pitfalls along the way.”

  Frankie smiled, seeming to have shaken off the reflective mood occasioned by Anna’s careless question. “Where would be the fun in that? Half the battle is working these things out for oneself. Besides, if a lady knew all the foibles pertaining to her heart’s desire, she would probably run in the opposite direction, screaming.”

  “It can’t be so very bad, can it?”

  “What cannot be?” Zach asked, joining them, both dogs at his heels.

  “Your sister and I were discussing the joys and perils of matrimony,” Frankie replied.

  Zach flexed his brows. “Then I am interrupting.”

  “Not at all, your grace. I believe we have exhausted the subject.”

  “That I cannot accept.” He fixed Frankie with a challenging smile. “It is a subject upon which most ladies always have too much to say.”

  “How would you know, Zach?” Anna asked, sharing a wry smile with Frankie as she bent to scratch Phantom’s ears. Frankie supplied a similar service for Phineas.

  “I am a duke. I know everything.”

  Anna shook her head. “He always says that when he can’t think of a better reply.”

  Zach laughed as he took a seat beside the fire. “That is because it is true.”

  “Did I also mention that my brother numbers modesty amongst his many attributes?”

  Zach looked down his nose at Anna in an exaggerated attempt to appear superior, only to succeed in making her laugh. “I have something to be modest about?”

  “I see what you mean,” Frankie said to Anna.

  “Are you expecting Romsey to call today?” Zach asked.

  “He said he might.”

  “And so he should,” Frankie replied.

  “I would prefer him to concentrate upon finding out what Count von Hessel is playing at, rather than dancing attendance upon me,” Anna said. “I won’t feel comfortable until that situation is resolved. I sensed him watching me all the time at the ball last night, or so it seemed. Perhaps it was just in my imagination. Be that as it may, his very presence made my skin crawl.”

  “Don’t worry,” Zach said, leaning forward to pat Anna’s shoulder. “I know you are still haunted by your ordeal. How could you not be? But Romsey knows it too, and is determined to get to the bottom of it.”

  “If he can spare the time,” Anna muttered under her breath.

  “Did you say something, Anna?” Zach asked, looking a little bemused by her attitude.

  “Oh, don’t mind me.” She flapped a hand. “I am quite out of sorts today. I must be more tired than I realised.”

  “But still, something concerns you.” Zach sat forward and focused a concerned look upon Anna’s face. “Tell me.”

  She shrugged. “There’s nothing specific to tell, other than that Clarence is too secretive for his own good. He won’t tell me anything, and I keep seeing shadows where none exist as a consequence.”

  “He’s a diplomat,” Frankie said softly. “It is how they operate. Don’t blame Clarence, my dear. It is such instinctive behaviour, he can’t help himself.”

  “Yes, I am sure it is. But I would feel so much better if he told us everything he knows, or suspects, about von Hessel’s intentions. I can’t help feeling he is holding something back, as though he is trying to protect me in some way.”

  “Better late than never,” Zach replied, scowling.

  “Zach, we have already been through all that,” Anna said in a tone of exaggerated patience. “I don’t need protecting from the truth. It just makes me more nervous.” She sighed. “Has Clarence confided in you?”

  “No, you know everything I do.”

  Anna drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair, but before she could challenge Zach, Faraday entered the room and announced Clarence.

  “Well then, Anna,” Zach said mildly. “Perhaps you will get your answers after all.”

  “We shall see.”

  Anna was surprised by Clarence’s appearance. She had not expected to see him until after luncheon, if at all. He had said he would call, but he had so many other claims upon his time that were more pressing. She had lost count of the number of times he had been accosted the previous evening by serious-looking gentlemen who clearly were not there to dance. But here he was, and Anna felt her face heat as he headed straight for her. He sent her an infectious smile, took her hand and kissed the back of it.

  “Are you all right?” he asked softly.

  She knew he was referring to the incident with Mrs. Hardgraves, which was the real reason for her unsettled mood, and appreciated his sensitivity. She summoned up a smile of her own and nodded.

  “Yes, I am perfectly well, I thank you.”

  Clarence greeted Frankie and Zach and took the chair opposite Zach’s, which just happened to be next to hers. Phantom roused himself, sniffed Clarence’s hand, and then flopped back down on the rug again, next to his brother.

  “I am glad to find you here, Winchester,” he said, “because at last I have some positive news to impart.” He sent Anna a prolonged look. “I thought you would want to know immediately.”

  “We are all ears,” Zach replied, sending Anna an I-told-you so glance.

  “It seemed to me a day or two ago that von Hessel’s military record really must be as clean and heroic as all the reports I have read indicate. Believe me, if there was anything known to his detriment I would have found a reference to it by now. Therefore, his actions must have been for some other reason. I know little of his background in Prussia, or where he plans to live when he is married to Miss Outwood. The second part of that conundrum was easily resolved. I had someone ask Miss Outwood, who was more than happy to talk about it. It seems the couple are to live permanently in Prussia as soon as they are married, and von Hessel will put his wife’s fortune to good use in filling his depleted coffers.”

  “Miss Outwood told your people about his financial situation?” Zach asked sceptically.

  “No, that intelligence came from elsewhere,” Clarence smiled, waving Zach’s question aside with a negligent and very elegant flip of his wrist, “but more of that directly. Discovering more about von Hessel’s family circumstances required a less direct approach. Since we are fairly sure he is the person who ordered Frankie’s abduction and took Annalise by mistake, and given he now knows Annalise and I are to be married, I could not approach anyone in his entourage and show an interest in his situation. It would have got back to him immediately and he would know we suspect him. And so, I sent some of my people, people who cannot be connected directly to me, to speak to the Prussian community in England. And what they learned made for very interesting listening.”

  “Are you planning to enlighten us?” Anna asked when Clarence paused for breath.

  “Most certainly,” he replied, smiling at her impatience. “Von Hessel has an uncle, a very powerful uncle, Count Brandenburg.”

  “I have heard the name,” Zach said. “I had no idea he was connected to von Hessel.”

 
; “To be honest, I only discovered that fact for myself a day or two ago.” Clarence shook his head. “An unfortunate oversight. Had I known, I might have put it together sooner. However, where was I? Ah yes, Brandenburg. He has no children of his own, but three nephews. Von Hessel, then a man called Heinrich, who never served in the military. He has a twisted leg, but is Brandenburg’s eyes and ears everywhere. Apparently nothing escapes his notice, and he has made himself indispensable to his uncle. The third nephew is a very interesting chap. His name is Wahlstadt. He served during the war and also enjoys a distinguished record.”

  A footman appeared with refreshments and nothing more was said until he left the room again.

  “The uncle is the power broker in this drama,” Clarence continued when they were again alone. “Brandenburg’s name is well known to me, although I have never met the man, and he is playing his three nephews off against one another. As a result of the Congress of Vienna, Prussia has regained much of its annexed territories, including the disputed Partition of Poland, which has been granted to them under Russian rule.”

  “The Polish issue is a thorn in Prussia’s side, is it not?” Zach asked. “Royal Prussia was disbanded in ’06 and…” Zach’s eyes came alight. “Brandenburg wants to recreate it!” Clarence nodded. “How the devil will he achieve that with the Russians breathing down his neck?”

  “He obviously thinks he can, and plans to put the best nephew for the job in charge of the scheme. Titles and riches will be poured upon that person, who will also be named as his heir.”

  “And von Hessel loves being the centre of attention,” Anna said, finding the excitement flying between Zach and Clarence contagious. “We also know he is no coward, in spite of his dandyish appearance.”

  “Precisely.” Clarence briefly touched her hand. “But his cousin’s claim is equally valid, and he is married to a well-born Prussian woman, which finds favour with his uncle. Von Hessel was forced to look to England to find an heiress to finance his ambitions.”

  “They will never get away with it,” Zach said.

  “You underestimate patriotic fervour,” Clarence replied.

  “But, even if they can achieve it, it will start a war against Russia.”

  “I doubt whether they care.” Clarence shrugged. “What is the sacrifice of a few more of their countrymen for the sake of their ambitions? Napoleon thought that way, and the French flocked to follow him.”

  “True enough.”

  “Are you absolutely sure about this?” Anna asked. “Surely, such a daring plan could not have been missed by those watching the situation. We all know just how volatile matters are in Europe at the moment.”

  Clarence fixed her with a look that implied he was impressed by the question. “No, we are not certain. This information has been extracted from a number of different sources, and we have pieced it together, coming to the only obvious conclusion. It explains why no one at the Foreign Office knows anything about it. Brandenburg is playing this close to his chest. But, whether we are right or not about the Polish issue, is not the point. We are absolutely certain Brandenburg is set to name his heir. We have had it confirmed by several different sources. That in itself would be enough to have von Hessel doing whatever is necessary to win favour.”

  Anna nodded. “And so you think von Hessel is not looking to destroy papers to his detriment, but rather discover some that will discredit his cousin?”

  “Precisely.” Clarence shook his head. “Fools that we are, we have been looking in the wrong place.”

  Frankie, who had said nothing during the entire exchange, finally spoke. She looked pale and her hands were not steady. “The name Wahlstadt sounded familiar the moment you mentioned it, Clarence, but I could not think at first where I had heard it. But, I am absolutely certain Gerald was looking into his activities immediately before he died,” she said slowly. “That must be why I recognised it.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Are you all right, Frankie?” Clarence asked, concerned by her pallor.

  “Yes, fine. Don’t fuss, please.”

  “Pardon me, but you don’t look fine,” Winchester said, clearly concerned also.

  “Thank you, your grace. That is just what a lady wishes to hear.”

  Winchester sent her a teasing smile. “That is not what I meant.”

  Frankie encompassed both Clarence and Winchester with her gaze. “If this man Wahlstadt knew of Gerald’s assignment, and if he has something to hide…oh no!”

  Winchester got up, poured brandy for Frankie and crouched beside her chair, encouraging her to take a sip. “Calm yourself, Lady St. John. I can imagine what you are thinking. Your husband died under questionable circumstances, generally believed to be an unfortunate accident, but you are now wondering if Wahlstadt had a hand in his demise.”

  “It is hard not to think that way, given subsequent events.”

  “The thought had occurred to me as well, Frankie,” Clarence said. “And I will do what I can to get to the truth, never doubt it.”

  “I know you will,” Frankie replied, sitting back and waving the duke away. “I feel much better now, thank you.”

  “It must be a terrible secret for someone to go to such extremes,” Anna said to no one in particular.

  “The Brandenburg family lost a great deal of land when Napoleon took their territories, but they are now well on the way to restoring their wealth and consequence. Brandenburg’s heir will be set for life.” Clarence curled his upper lip. “He would consider it well worth a little collateral damage to secure that position.” Clarence stood. “And so, if you will excuse me, I must get back to study St. John’s documents.”

  “Is there nothing to help you in the Foreign Office’s archives?” Winchester asked. “After all, you said yourself you had not been looking for anything other than proof of von Hessel’s guilt.”

  “I have someone looking now, but am not optimistic. Von Hessel is intimate with the prince regent. If there was something there to show his cousin in a bad light, I imagine the prince would have found his way to get his hands on it, just to oblige his friend. It would also explain why von Hessel was so anxious to have a private conversation with you, Frankie, and why he sent people down to Winchester to try and get inside your house.”

  “Yes, I suppose it does. But if Gerald found something important, surely he would have passed it on to the Foreign Office, rather than keeping it himself?”

  “I am sure he would have, but…”

  “Of course.” Frankie’s eyes dulled. “He died before he could do so, and no one from the government has come to me asking if he left anything important behind. He had a secretary who handled all his sensitive papers, so perhaps they spoke to him. It did not occur to me that any might have slipped through the net.”

  “Precisely.” Clarence sighed. “The whole business is a muddle. You must excuse me from our engagement this afternoon, my dear,” he said, turning to Annalise. “Under the circumstances, I must give priority to these papers.”

  “Yes, of course,” she replied, a hint of sarcasm shaping the delicate arch of her brow as she looked away from him. “Your duty must always come first.”

  Damnation, he had upset her, but surely, she could see how important this was? He didn’t wish to frighten the ladies by pointing out the obvious, but none of them would be safe until this business was resolved.

  “I’m sorry,” he said softly, touching Annalise’s shoulder. “I will try to call this evening.”

  “Do not put yourself out for my sake.”

  Annalise concentrated her attention upon the dogs sprawled at her feet, and still wouldn’t look at him. He was a little disgruntled by her attitude. How could she not know he would much rather spend his time with her? And he would so much rather, he realised with a start. Normally a conundrum such as the one created by von Hessel would claim all of his attention, and he would enjoy pitting his wits against the Prussian. His duty paled into insignificance when compared to being in
Annalise’s enticing company, seeing her remarkable eyes come alight with amusement at something he said to her, kissing her compelling lips until she trembled in the circle of his arms. And yet his damned duty was still…well, his duty, and he couldn’t relax until he had assured himself of Annalise’s safety.

  Had he just seen a glimpse of the real Annalise? The indulged daughter of a wealthy duchy, used to always having her way. It seemed unlikely and hardly fit with his enduring image of Annalise fighting her way out of a warehouse and finding her way home on a borrowed horse in the middle of a snowstorm. Nor did it jibe with her reaction to the poverty she saw on the streets that night. It was impossible to fake that degree of empathy.

  Clarence was a good judge of character, and he was seldom wrong in his assessment of his adversaries. He didn’t want to think he was wrong about Annalise either, because he would marry her. He would marry her regardless of her frequent hints implying a change of heart on her part, and his own niggling doubts about rushing into a lifelong commitment when they barely knew one another. Then he recalled his reaction to having her in his arms the previous evening as they waltzed together. It had satisfied a need in him he hadn’t previously recognised, and such recollections effectively eradicated his momentary doubts. Nothing that felt so subliminally right could possibly be wrong.

  His life, up until that point, had been meticulously arranged, and he had no time to dwell upon occasional fits of loneliness, or the feeling that something was missing from his life. That feeling had intensified now he was back in England, living in the huge barn of a house he had grown up in. A house that had never felt like a home and held no happy memories for him. Since meeting Annalise, he had imagined the place filled with laughter, children running about and bringing it to life. In his imagination, Annalise was in the centre of everything, always laughing, behaving recklessly; pretending she was not at least as clever as her sister. That was what he wanted, he realised with a jolt. He wanted it so much he could taste it. He had supposed Annalise wanted the same thing.

  But perhaps she did not.