Not an innocent, and well aware of gentlemen of his ilk, when Rainer had settled his strong hand on the small of her back she’d suspected the reason. If she’d not missed her guess he was hoping to steal a hidden kiss from her, and she’d been correct. It had been even more thrilling and exciting than she could have imagined.
The chiming of the clock set on the marble mantel in the formal sitting room brought her back to where she was, not that she didn’t wish to return to the patio again and soon.
“I do hope Mr. Quigley is prompt,” she said, to the only other person in the room, the duchess.
“My dear, from my experience with this type of person they tend to be very punctual.”
“Thank you, as I wish this to be done with since I’ve never met the man,” Bianca replied.
The words had barely passed her lips when Stanley stepped into the doorway and bowed. Behind him Bianca saw a short, thin man with very little greying hair.
“Your Grace, Contessa may I present Mr. Quigley,” the butler announced, then moved to allow the man entry.
She remained seated on the divan beside her godmother and waited while the man nervously entered and bowed.
“Your Grace and la Contessa Goretti it is my honour to finally make your acquaintance. As we’ve never met before, allow me to present you this letter of introduction from your late husband,” Mr. Quigley declared. He passed over an envelope to Bianca.
“Thank you and please have a seat,” she all but ordered him.
Opening the package she withdrew a single sheet of foolscap and gasped on immediately recognized her late husband’s handwriting. Slowly, she started to read it then looked to Mr. Quigley.
My dearest Bianca,
If you’re reading this then not only our son but I’ve been murdered by the Barone Nardo. Unfortunately, I’ve no evidence as to how, but you know the why—his need for funds.
Years ago while on the Grande Tour I met a very interesting and trustworthy gentleman, even though he was English. His name is Anthony, Tony, Fuller, the eldest son to the Earl of Wyatt.
Trust Tony to find out how we were murdered and bring those responsible to justice.
Tony also said you can turn to Lord Rainer Cross if you need protection.
Your loving husband
Finished she handed the sheet to her godmother and wasn’t surprised on hearing the same reaction as she’d had.
“Why are you only now giving this to me?” she demanded, then turned to Stanley. “Please invite Lord Cross to join us at once.”
“Yes, m’ lady,” he answered then started to leave.
“Stanley, after you find him, most likely in the ducal office bring us tea and fruit tarts.”
“Of course Your Grace.”
“Contessa, I was following a set of verbal directives from the late Conte. I wasn’t to approach you but had to await your request for an interview. Yes, I know it does appear strange but I did have to adhere to his wishes. Yesterday, when I received your note I knew the time had come to bring everything to light. Please accept my apology.”
“Apology for what?” Rainer stated, as he marched into the parlour.
“Lord Cross, sit and it will be explained but first I must say something,” the duchess demanded.
Bianca waited until he did as told then cocked her head to her godmother.
“Before we go any further my dearest goddaughter, I can assure you Lord Cross knew nothing of this. If you remember, it was you who wished the introduction after he approached us at the first ball once you were out of mourning.”
“That’s as I suspected since he’s never had reason to hide anything from me. Now, please show him the letter then we’ll have tea as I see Stanley is bringing it,” Bianca told them.
Curious as to Rainer’s reaction on not only reading the letter but seeing his name so prominently mentioned Bianca study his expression. It went from one of confusion to astonishment. From what she could tell when he read it not once but a second time she guessed to make sure he understood what was written. Finally, when he lifted his head she gave him a smile.
“It would seem, Lord Cross, we were destined to meet after all,” she told specifically him, then nodded.
“Yes, so it would appear,” he declared with a slight grin.
“Now that we have that settled shall we have tea while Mr. Quigley continues to explain what he knows,” the duchess ordered.
Once everyone had a cup along with a fruit tart of their choice Bianca focused on the man. “Please start from the beginning.”
“Yes. Contessa until you came seeking the protection of Her Grace neither myself nor Lord Fuller were aware anything was amiss. While he went to Italy in search of your father and gained his confidence I was able to hide most of his funds. This was done to show the Barone, should he make enquires, Lord Fuller was as destitute as he claimed.
“Then, when the men arrived and soon your father, everything was in place to arrange your kidnapping. That, of course, you suspected all along which is why I’m pleased to see Lord Cross has set to protect you.”
“Then, what are we to do? As of yesterday Lord Fuller was forced to return to his estate on a matter of great import,” Bianca asked.
“We continue along as nothing has happened, except now we need to be more alert until his return,” Rainer said.
“Does that mean we are, in essence, prisoners within these walls,” she uttered in hopelessness.
“If I may Your Grace, m’ lady and Lord Cross but that might be a mistake. My suggestion is to continue going about your daily routine. If I’m not mistaken he has set a watch over the palace and would become suspicious if you did,” Mr. Quigley recommended.
“What about this visit of yours as it’s the first time you’ve been called here?” Bianca stated.
“My being here wouldn’t cause a stir, even after all this time, as it’s well known I’m a man of business. If asked by anyone I can simply say I was here to review a few accounts with you, m’ lady. Discretion being paramount I wouldn’t reveal anything to anyone.”
“Also Contessa it’s not unusual for long periods to pass before face to face meetings take place. Most communication is handled through posts,” Rainer helped explain.
“I would also wish to enquire as to how the estates are doing. I receive reports from the managers and from what they say it would appear everything is running smoothly and bringing in substantial income,” she asked Mr. Quigley.
“Ah, I thought you would ask, so in anticipation I brought the accounting journals with me. They are in my carriage and it will be my pleasure to leave them so you can review them. All I ask, please return them before the end of the month when the new reports and funds arrive,” the man asked.
“I will,” she answered.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be off,” he said.
With a nod from Bianca and her godmother he was dismissed and escorted from the room by Stanley.
Now alone with the duchess and Rainer, Bianca looked to them, hoping for some sort of advice. When it wasn’t easily forthcoming she knew she’d have to seek it out. Educated and trained in the management of a house, large or small, that she could handle. It was estates which had her panicked but knew Rainer would help.
“That was an interesting meeting with Mr. Quigley. However, Rainer I humbly look to your expertise in assisting me in reviewing the journals he brought,” she begged of him.
“Bianca, it would be my honour to look them over but under the condition you sit with me while I do. This way you will be able to learn thusly handle them in the future,” he stated.
“If I could suggest we wait until the morrow as much has already been learned today which needs to be thought about. I feel a slow stroll through the garden might be called for so I’ll leave you children to enjoy the air,” Margaret said.
“I agree, but we won’t be long as we’ve the Coker banquet and ball this evening,” Bianca spoke, then rose from the settee bringing
Rainer to his feet.
Margaret stood, and turned to her goddaughter. “Yes and I wish you my dear, Bianca, to rest,” the duchess said.
“Believe me, after what I’ve learned this afternoon I will,” she answered. She looked to Rainer, a smile on her lips. “Let me get a parasol and I’ll meet you on the veranda.”
“And don’t forget to bring Chrissy as we’ll have no sneaking a kiss like you did last night,” the duchess ordered her.
Bianca felt her face warm as she remembered Rain’s lips against her, or was it that they’d been found out by their godmother. Whichever it was she didn’t care, and would sneak another if the opportunity presented itself to her again. Cocking her head toward him she suspected he was of the same mind, even if it meant facing the wrath of the duchess and her cane.
“Of course not. We’d never do anything like that, especially in the daytime,” Bianca countered but didn’t say. “Not that we won’t try if given the chance.”
“That’s wonderful to hear. Now assist me to my suite then you may collect your parasol to protect your complexion from the sun,” the duchess said.
With Chrissy, her lady’s maid, following, Bianca descended to the ground floor then started for the rear of the ducal palace and Rainer. In the hopes of pressing her lips against Rainer’s she instructed the woman to follow at a distance and if for some reason lost sight of them not to panic.
“But what if those men grab you, how would I be able to help?” Chrissy had said.
“Believe me with His Lordship present not to mention the gardeners no one will attempt anything. It will be safe. On that you have to trust me,” Bianca had countered, receiving a smile and nod of understanding.
She lowered her lids upset on keeping him waiting. “My apologizes but I needed to change into walking shoes,” she said in a low voice.
“Think nothing of it as I only arrived moments ago. I was distracted by the estate journals but more on that later. Let us enjoy the beautiful afternoon and think only pleasant thoughts,” he said, with a grin.
Not accepting his arm but instead entwining her fingers with his she let him lead her out onto the terrace. Without giving him any direction as to where to walk they descended the granite stairs allowing her to look in the distance and toward the gazebo.
There, she thought, is the perfect place to let him steal another kiss, freely given, from me.
Slowly, she led him down one path then turned onto another all the while making sure he didn’t realize where they were headed. As they got to each new track she would look up to him. With her concentration on the gazebo in sight she glanced up at him only to notice a change in his expression, one of worry.
“Is something bothering you Rain?”
“Yes. Without staring look to your right at those two men supposedly working with the roses. Neither appears to be acting naturally, not to mention their shirts are to clean for gardeners.”
Doing as asked she looked around then stepped up to a collection of daisy’s and gasped.
“You’re correct. If I’m not mistaken they are the same men we saw at the ball that first night when we met. I would suggest we retire to the palace but first let people be aware of them,” she said, then turned about and slipped her hand in his and let him guided her back the way they’d come.
Chapter Eleven
With Bianca safely in her suite and four of the largest, meanest looking footmen as guards, one at each end of the corridor and two outside her room Rainer went to hunt down the head gardener. Finding the man giving instructions to one of his assistances he gave him the courtesy of waiting until finished.
“As you know the Contessa and I were strolling through part of the garden not long ago. While out here I noticed two individuals who didn’t seem to fit in. Have you hired new helpers?”
“No m’ lord. I’ve not taken on any additional staff for the past few years. Whoever you saw had to have somehow snuck in,” the man pleaded.
“That’s what I suspected. Don’t go enquiring but alert those you totally trust what we saw and if an unknown face should appear grab them up and report only to me,” Rainer ordered.
Now that he had that problem resolved, he retreated to his suite to be met by Mike holding an envelope. Rainer knew the letter had to be from his butler and carried bad news.
“Thank you. While I read this over I need you to find Her Grace’s lady’s maid and arrange an interview with the Duchess immediately,” Rainer ordered.
“M’ lord, that won’t be necessary,” Margaret announced from the doorway.
“You’re dismissed,” he told his valet.
“Yes m’ lord, Your Grace,” Mike said, bowed deeply then slipped from the room.
He escorted her to a chair by the fireplace. Once she was seated he looked to her. “How may I be of assistance?” Rainer asked, even though he knew the reason for this meeting.
“On returning from your stroll Bianca informed me of the two men, who didn’t appear to be gardeners.”
“Yes. Once she was safely in her suite, as you saw I had additional footmen set in your corridor for not only her but your protection. My concern now is, will it be wise to attend the banquet and ball this eve as they might make an attempt on her?”
“For that I truly thank you. Heaven knows what they might do? With these men having been able, somehow to slip onto the grounds has me greatly concerned. Would you have any suggestions as to how they did and a way to prevent it in the future?” Margaret asked.
“I’m sorry I don’t, except to make the senior staff aware we’ve had intruders and they might try again. As for the guards around the palace unless the men make it obvious, which I doubt there’s little that can be done.”
“Save fleeing the city to the ducal estate,” she said.
On hearing what she said Rainer spun about leveling a glared on her, not caring what the repercussion would be. “That would be the first place they look on learning we’re no longer here. My estate would be the second. No. Here we must stay, if for no other reason to show the barone Bianca isn’t afraid,” he stated firmly.
“Then it’s a good thing we’re attending the Coker event tonight. Before you panic I sent Rachel a personal note letting her know you’ll be escorting Bianca to the table,” she calmly said, standing and starting for the door. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to rest.”
“Certainly. I’ll have the coach in the courtyard at six,” Rainer informed her as he followed her.
Once he saw she was safely on her way he closed the door then turned his attention to the letter still clutched in his hand. Unfolding it he wasn’t surprised at what he read.
M’ lord,
Daniel reports the barone has ordered a carriage for this eve to take him and his henchmen to a ball. I must inform you his friend wasn’t able to learn which one.
Bobby
With a groan he tossed the foolscap in the fire and waited for it to catch then rang for Mike who was probably in the kitchen, either stuffing his face or trying to woo the pasty cook’s helper. He was surprised when his valet appeared quickly, a silly grin on his face.
“So, are you going to be taking her for a walk around the gardens?”
“M’ lord I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the man protested, but a little too loudly.
“Never mind. Anyways, I’ve another letter for you to deliver to Bobby. This time no reply will be needed. It will only take me a minute to pen it then you need to be on your way. When you get back I’ll bath and change for the evening and I think the black will be perfect.”
Taking a seat at the desk, under the window overlooking the garden, Rainer pulled out a sheet of paper, examined the point on the quill then quickly wrote to his butler. Folding then sealing it, he passed the note to Mike who took it and with a nod marched out the door.
With the potential of disaster averted Rainer picked up the tome on early English history he’d started reading. Next he set a chair in front of the window se
at, sat and put his booted feet on the cushion and started reading.
“M’ lord, it’s time to bathe and dress for this evening,” he barely heard in the distance.
“What? No? I only moments ago sat down it can’t be that late?” he sputtered out then bolted up from the chair.
“I’m sorry m’ lord but you’ve been sleeping for over the past two hours.”
Angry at himself for having fallen asleep, something he didn’t normally do during the day, Rainer started to strip his cravat and shirt off. Only then he realized he’d not ordered up the carriage.
“Go to the stable and tell the master to have the carriage in front at six.”
“Begging your pardon m’ lord but that’s already taken care of. Also I, using your name, instructed two grooms to be ready considering the dangers,” Mike answered.
Dressed in his finest evening attire Rainer made his way to the duchess’ sitting room as it had been agreed they’d meet there. He wasn’t surprised to see he was the first with Stanley waiting holding a silver tray with a whisky.
“Thank you, but I wasn’t expecting this,” he said taking the proffered drink.
“This is per Her Grace to help occupy your time until they arrive.”
With a nod he took a sip then a seat so he could overlook the garden while also keeping an eye on the door for the ladies arrival. While he was gazing out the window he was pleased to see the workers were being more cautious. He knew the other staff employed by the duke would also be more careful. The sound of the duchess and Bianca talking alerted him they were approaching. Setting the drink down he stood as they stepped in.
“Come Rain, we don’t wish to be late,” his godmother ordered.
Strolling up to them he bowed. “The coach should be out front with several extra guards considering the event of earlier.”
“Wonderful and I approve the extra men,” the duchess declared.
He then offered his arm to his godmother and was amazed when she refused it. He glanced down at her his brow furrowed in confusion.
La Contessa and The Marquis (A Rogues and Rakehells Mystery Book 1) Page 7