The Earl's Secret

by TERRI BRISBIN

  And while he learned more of the lovely Miss Fairchild.

  Uncertain of where that thought had originated, David shook his head. The woman Nathaniel chose to pursue as his wife was of no concern to him.

  The image of her sable-brown eyes flashing indignantly at his manners, which had been curt and just short of rude, filled his thoughts. He’d been too focused on his business and his study of Nathaniel to truly take notice of the woman who had occupied Nate’s office as though it were her own. He remembered the way her full lips pursed and thinned and how her eyebrows narrowed as he refused to disclose his reasons for the visit.

  Miss Fairchild was no wilting flower. And, although he could not afford to be distracted from his purpose, David knew that he would enjoy this excursion to Edinburgh a bit more for her presence there.

  Chapter Five

  Anna should not have been surprised by the change in weather. The winds blew in from the north and rattled through the streets, making her hope that her bonnet’s ribbons would hold tight. Although August usually meant warmer temperatures, each day could bring a variety of conditions. Today, thick clouds rolled over the city, promising showers that would make her travel both more difficult and longer than she wished.

  It was as she turned the corner and headed for the office that she spied Mr. Archer standing across the street, on the corner of the North Bridge. Meticulously groomed in spite of the wind, he almost seemed to be waiting for her as she made her way from the Old Town. Why would he be waiting for her? More importantly, should she pass him by or acknowledge him?

  Anna stopped for a moment and adjusted her bonnet, thinking over how best to handle this. For the last two days Nathaniel had deflected any questions about Mr. Archer in an offhand manner that would have demonstrated his disinterest to anyone asking. But Anna knew him better and realized at once that he was trying to minimize her curiosity about this Englishman and his business at the Gazette. Any question of ignoring the man under consideration ended when he appeared directly before her.

  “Miss Fairchild,” he said. His deep voice held no hint of the near-unpleasantness of their first meeting.

  “Mr. Archer.”

  “I had no idea that the winds could be so strong here.” He tugged his top hat down and tilted his head as he smiled. That smile created the most attractive dimple in his chin. And it lightened the serious expression in his eyes.

  “Is this your first trip to Edinburgh then?” She watched as his eyes narrowed and then he shook his head.

  “No, not my first. But my first in a very long time.” He turned then and looked down Princes Street in the very same direction in which she needed to go. “Are you going to the Gazette’s office?”

  It was foolish to feel as though she need conceal her movements from him. Anna nodded, “I am. And you?”

  “The very same place. May I offer you my escort there? From the strength of these gales, you may need some assistance in staying out of the street itself.”

  The buffeting winds were something unexpected by the city’s planners when they designed the layout of the streets between the old ‘Nor’loch’ and the Firth of Forth. Anna was about to deny any need for escort or assistance when a rather strong gust whipped by her and wrenched her bonnet from her head. Saved at the last moment by Mr. Archer’s quick action, she accepted her hat from him and then she placed her arm on his when he offered, without argument.

  “Perhaps you could familiarize me with the New Town as we walk?” he asked as they began to walk south on Princes Street. “So much of it is changed since I last visited.”

  Anna pointed out shops she frequented as they ambled along, as well as the houses belonging to several well-known peers, scholars and writers. From what she’d heard and read, Edinburgh’s Old Town was completely different from London. Instead of separate areas for the various classes of society, Auld Reekie tended to have them in layers in the same buildings and blocks—the richer and more prestigious one was, the closer to street level and the more spacious one’s accommodations were. New Town was more similar to London, with the rich in specific squares and streets and those who served or did business with them in others.

  Mr. Archer listened attentively and asked questions as they covered the distance from the bridge to the office. Surprised by his polite demeanor, she found herself deeply engrossed in their conversation as the blocks raced by and even the nasty weather faded away. When they would cross a street, he would block the worst of the wind by placing himself in the way of it.

  Although she was certain that only moments had passed, Anna drew to a halt in front of the door of the Gazette’s office. Startled by their arrival in so short a time, she searched for the words to end their excursion. Before she could, the door opened from inside and Nathaniel stood glaring at both of them.

  Glaring in a most possessive fashion.

  Her cheeks grew warm at such a gaze and she blinked a few times trying to regain her composure. Nathaniel was a different man in these last few days, in both his manner and his attention to her. Why, last night at dinner with Clarinda and her husband on their first night in Edinburgh, he had complimented her appearance and invited her to the theater! Behavior like this reminded her of how a gentleman courted a lady.

  Lud! What had rekindled Nathaniel’s interest in such a hopeless thing? Before she could speak, Mr. Archer spoke up.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Hobbs-Smith. I found Miss Fairchild being pushed about by the winds on the North Bridge and have delivered her safely to your door.” Holding out her hand to Nathaniel, Mr. Archer bowed and stepped back.

  “Anna…Miss Fairchild, come in,” Nathaniel said, backing up a pace from the door so that she could enter. That measure of welcome disappeared as soon as she was behind him, for he stepped forward, quite clearly blocking Mr. Archer’s entrance. “If that is all, Mr. Archer?”

  “Actually, I have a request of you.” Mr. Archer moved forward, forcing Nathaniel to back up a bit from his stance. “The rooms I have let are much too small in which to entertain, but I would very much like to continue our discussion from a few days ago.”

  Nathaniel appeared to wilt at the words, but then he rallied and stood straighter. Although none of the words were directed at her, she nonetheless felt the scrutiny of both men as they lobbed comments back and forth like a battledore and shuttlecock match.

  “Might you suggest a dining establishment or perhaps a club where we can have supper?”

  A simple request, really, but apparently it raised Nathaniel’s hackles. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see his hands fisting and relaxing, fisting and relaxing. She fought the urge to slide hers into his in front of Mr. Archer. Before Nathaniel could answer, he added, “Not to be rude, of course, Miss Fairchild, but this is about business matters between Mr. Hobbs-Smith and myself.”

  Not to be rude? He was insufferable and rude and he knew it. In what she would consider a challenge, he made certain she knew she was excluded from the proffered invitation. How had his manners changed so in just those moments? He’d been attentive and polite during their walk. What was between him and Nathaniel that brought on this behavior? Maybe Clarinda would know?

  “I would never presume to interfere in your business, sir,” she answered, not unhappy that a sharp tone entered her voice then. “If you would excuse me?”

  Anna turned then and walked away from them. She held herself to a certain standard of behavior since her carefree, even hoydenish days before her father’s death, and at this moment she felt the very unladylike urge to stamp her feet and screech. Better to retreat and not embarrass herself and Nathaniel. She would discover the truth of the matter from Nathaniel and, if he prevaricated, from Clarinda.

  Only a few minutes passed before Nathaniel joined her in his office and Anna attempted to ignore both him and the question burning within her. As though he could sense her disquiet, Nathaniel followed her lead and they were able to clear up a number of outstanding matters related to the improving
status of their publication. Finally, her curiosity overtook her control and she blurted out the words she’d fought to keep in.

  “Who is Mr. Archer?”

  Nathaniel frowned at first and then leaned back in his chair with a resigned air. She watched as his gaze moved to the bottom drawer of his desk and wondered what was contained there and why it drew his attention.

  “Mr. Archer is a past acquaintance of mine from my time in London. His appearance here unannounced simply startled me.”

  “Startled you? I would describe your reaction to the sight of him in much stronger terms than that.” Anna drummed her fingers on the smooth surface of the desk and met his gaze. “And his business here in Edinburgh?”

  Nathaniel ran his fingers through his hair and frowned. “Did he not speak of it during your walk here?”

  Evasion.

  Nervousness.

  Guilt.

  She could read all three of those in his gaze and wondered over it. In their years of acquaintance and friendship and in their working relationship, she’d never felt as though he’d been less than honest. Until now.

  “We spoke only of the city.”

  Nathaniel paused now before answering. She watched as he took in a deep breath, as though trying to calm himself, and then he smiled at her. “Mr. Archer seeks to buy some property here and wants my assistance in the matter.”

  “Ah, property here in Edinburgh,” Anna replied. “And will you aid him in his search?”

  “I told him that I know more about the countryside between the city and our estates than I do of the city proper, but it did not seem to dissuade him.”

  Now this was interesting. From the expression on his face, Nathaniel was not pleased. Had his previous dealings with Mr. Archer been such a negative experience for Nathaniel that he would exaggerate his true knowledge to avoid any future involvements? Apparently he would.

  “Then why not simply acquiesce and help him? Surely, you know enough or can direct him through your man-of-business to someone who could assist him? Perhaps protesting too much will draw more of his attention and interest than you seem to want to bear?”

  Nathaniel thought on her words and nodded. “Once again, Anna, you display a sense of common wisdom that aids me. It is a splendid idea that could shorten his visit here as well.”

  So, Nathaniel wanted Mr. Archer gone? Anna had never seen Nathaniel react so strongly to a situation. Always the one with an innate calmness in the most trying of matters, she puzzled over it. And, although he directed the conversation to other matters, Anna would have to discover more about the mysterious Mr. Archer in her own manner.

  “Did you see him?” David asked as he climbed into the hackney.

  “I did, my lord.”

  David shook his head. “While in Edinburgh, Mr. Archer will do.” He did not want word to spread of his identity and presence here. Nathaniel was the only one who knew at this point and David would keep it that way in order to effectively seek out the man who was presently making his life miserable. At the man’s nod of agreement, he continued. “I am interested in his daily business regimen only. Details of a personal sort are not necessary.”

  David did not wish to gather invasive information about Nathan’s life unless it was related to the business he carried on as owner of the Gazette. No need to know if he kept a ladybird or his private activities.

  “I understand, sir,” Keys replied. “And the woman?” he asked, nodding in the direction of the Gazette’s office across the street from where they sat. “Should I have someone follow her?”

  David glanced over at the door to the office where he’d last seen her, Nate’s form standing between them in a clearly defensive position. With her cheeks aglow from their brisk walk and her dark brown eyes flashing, Miss Fairchild presented a pleasing appearance. He watched as she tried to glance around Nate’s tall form. His cutting tone had quashed her further interest, but he did not doubt for a moment that the intelligence and curiosity he glimpsed in her would not be stopped for long. Smiling, he wondered if Miss Fairchild were even now pestering Nathaniel for information about him, and the thought of it gave him pause.

  “Miss Fairchild?” David shook his head. “You need not assign anyone to that task, Keys. Narrow your efforts to Mr. Hobbs-Smith and his secretary.”

  Keys looked as though he would ask another question, but the man thought on it and then reached for the carriage’s door. “As you say, sir.”

  “Two days, Keys, three at most and then report back to me.”

  “It should be a simple thing, sir.”

  Keys closed the door and David leaned back against the seat. He was not comforted by the investigator’s confidence. If it had been a simple task, it would have been accomplished by now.

  David watched as Keys blended in with those moving along Princes Street and saw him approach a man standing near the storefront of a mercer. After a few whispered words, they both disappeared into the crowds.

  Turning back, he stared at the Gazette’s office window, seeing nothing but vague images moving inside. Watching on for another few moments, he reprimanded himself when he realized what he was doing.

  He was hoping to see Miss Fairchild there in the window.

  Shaking from the distracting thoughts, he was even more dismayed to realize the reason he stopped Keys from considering Miss Fairchild as a subject of the investigation. David reached up and tapped on the roof of the carriage. As the hackney rolled forward and joined the rows of horses, carriages and pedestrians, David shook his head. He knew to a certainty that if she needed to be observed, he had to be the one to follow her.

  Bloody hell! This could make a mess of things.

  Chapter Six

  “No, Becky. Try it like this,” Anna said, demonstrating to one of her students the new letter of the alphabet on a slate with chalk. “Glide your hand up and curve down to the right.” As Becky tried valiantly to imitate the motion, Anna completed the letter for the rest of the class. “Q is always seen with the letter U, so move quickly into it—” she glanced at the group to see which ones picked up on her pun and smiled “—up, down, up and down.”

  The ten women in the room gave their full attention to the task she assigned and Anna circled the room, stopping to help and to guide those having difficulty with the formation of the letters. After a few minutes of practice, she smiled. If effort were the only method to judge, each of these women would be a success.

  “I don’t think I like this letter, miss,” the youngest one, Mary, called out. “It’s too swirly-like.”

  Others joined her in her complaints, but Anna laughed. “Practice this one, girls, for the others to follow promise even more swirls and curls. Do not let frustration over the difficult overwhelm you—we are nearly to the end of the alphabet and your writing improves with each letter.”

  Although some agreed, others did not look as certain. Anna looked over the group and wondered which of them would truly find a way out of their current straits. In spite of the intelligence that hid behind many of these pretty faces and the commitment that brought them here, some would not attain the position of lady’s maid or companion that they sought. There were simply too many poor and not enough positions in which they could find employment.

  Her eyes burned with unexpected tears and she blinked against them. Surprised by the strength of her reaction to the plain realization of her charges’ plight in life, she cleared her throat and nodded to Mrs. Dobbins, the housekeeper who stood waiting in the back of the room.

  “It is time for luncheon, girls. You should be proud of your work this morning.”

  “Thank you, Miss Fairchild.”

  Their voices rang out in a well-practiced, exquisitely timed chorus that still brought a blush to her cheeks. From Mary, the youngest at fifteen, to Becky, the oldest at twenty, the young women gathered up their books and slates and waddled out of the room, following Mrs. Dobbins to the meal that awaited them. Each woman was at a different stage of her pre
gnancy, making their progress out of the room resemble a procession of chubby geese.

  Just before leaving, Becky stepped away from the others and approached her. Leaning in, she whispered, “It weren’t your fault, Miss Fairchild. She made her mind up to leave and there weren’t nothing you could do to stop her.”

  Anna’s first reaction was to correct Becky’s grammar, but it was the small pat on her hand that made it impossible to speak. She simply nodded and accepted the girl’s comment for the attempt at sympathy it was. Becky rejoined the others on their way to their meal and Anna was left alone.

  Gladys had a wild streak in her and came by her unfortunate situation from not so much attempts to defile her virtue as from her attempts to give it away…over and over…to several men willing to partake of her favors. From her arrival here, Gladys had fought the strictures and schedule and never settled in as the other girls did. And, Anna suspected from overheard whisperings among the others, she continued to seek out the companionship of men.

  Many men.

  Any man who smiled at her or offered her a kind word.

  Most especially any man who offered her some bauble or a few shillings for her time and attention.

  In essence, Anna’s first and only attempt to rehabilitate a…a… Anna had difficulty thinking of her as a prostitute for it seemed such a harsh word, but Gladys was a light skirt and her presence here had been an unmitigated failure. Gladys slipped away only two nights before, giving only a quiet farewell nod to Becky, who’d befriended her during her short stay.

  A growing maudlin feeling grew within her and Anna wiped at the gathering tears. In the last three years since opening this home and school, she’d watched dozens come and go. At first, she’d lost herself in each one—learning about their lives, the details, even their hopes and dreams. But as she found her heart broken for each one, Anna learned to hold back and keep a distance between herself and the young women. Doing that hurt her in some ways, for it seemed to be her nature to open herself to these unfortunates. She knew what they faced, for her own experiences demonstrated all too clearly how much they were at the mercy of those who had no mercy to give. In order to be effective in her work, Anna needed to separate herself a bit.